Originally Posted By KJ1197 Darkbeer, I'm sure people have asked you this before, but I'm curious... does going to DL so often kill the magic? I live in Colorado so I don't get there near enough. I've told my husband a move to CA near the Happiest Place on Earth would make me the happiest person on earth! ;-) But he thinks I wouldn't appreciate DL as much if I went too often. Is that true? Thanks, Kara (the BIGGEST Disney fan in Colorado)
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I ain't DB, and I don't get to go to DL all the time, but the Smithsonian museums is in my backyard, and I don't get tired of it. That's kinda-sorta the same thing.
Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x I live 3 hours away from Disneyland. We try to go at least once a month (not nearly as much as Darkbeer). It doesn't get old for me. And my kids love it every time we go. As soon as we get in the car to leave, they're asking when we're going back. Unfortunately, we only have 2 trips planned for the rest of the year. I get withdrawls if I don't go often. Last time I was there was August 19, and the next time will be October 12 & 14. LOOONG time for me.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 For me YES! I know I probably will be in the minority but I have to take breaks or everything starts to get too familiar and old hat for me. I start to lose the "magical feeling." I live 5 hours away and during the 18 month period of the 50th celebration I went to DL 14 times. As of September 2006 I have only been 4 other times and I could feel my lack of enthusiasm starting to grow so I backed off.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Dang I cut it off too soon. I meant to say I find myself starting to nitpick at things. I don't want to count how many trash cans are overflowing or what CM's are wearing. If the parade was 10 minutes late getting started, how many lightbulbs are out down Main Street. It's suppose to be my magical spot and I find the more I go the more I start to get all into that mind set.
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer It's just the opposite for us, the more we went, the more addicted we became. We are not local either and share the same 5-6 hour trip that Lisann22 does, we average between 35-40 days a year in the park and it's never enough. Each visit to the park is just as magical and has the same excitement for us that our first trip had 40 years ago. The only thing that seems to be different, now that we go more frequently, is that leaving the park, while always hard, is a little easier knowing that we will be returning in about 2 months. Going so frequently and staying each trip for about a week each time has allowed us to really get to know and become close to quite a few CM's, who have welcomed us into their family and make each visit for us even more magical.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I guess for me I'm just at a point in my life that I need to see and do other things. While I have no regrets about going to DL I kind of cringe at the $$$ I've spent there vs. seeing the rest of the world. So I've changed up my priorities. I realize its different for everyone and this is definitely a board full of Disney lovers. I'm not a super duper Disney fan like most here are. I'm not heavy into a lot of the history, trivia and such.
Originally Posted By fkurucz I have found that visiting more than once a year (5 day visits) dillutes the magic for me.
Originally Posted By serendipityaey You just have to remember to find magic in the little things. When I first get there, I always have tunnel vision, this ride, then this ride, then eat, then this ride and I feel like there's no magic. Then I get tired and stop for a second and realize those are the best times. The little side shows, watching kids learning how to be jedi while Darth Vader accidentally flips his cape over his head or watching kids just running back and forth, waiting for a show. I think, after a while you just have to look a little bit harder, but it's still there.
Originally Posted By midget3175 Wow, another LPer in Colorado. Where abouts are you? My best friend and I go to Disney at LEAST twice a year. Last year I went 7 times. Drove there each time. Going for the second time this year in 46 days. Yeppie!
Originally Posted By murfsmom i live about 45min -1hr away from disneyland, i get there once or twice a month but would go a lot more if i could, i never get tired of it, it's just so calming because i forget about the outside world when i'm there, i know most people don't get that "calming " feeling when their there because of the crowds and lines but thats whats great about going so often, you don't have to wait in those lines to get on a ride if you don't want to. theres really a lot to do there and i love taking my time and people watching,especially the little ones seeing the characters for the first time !!nope can't sayi'd ever get tired of the "happiest place" in fact if and when my husband retires,he wants to move closer and get a job working there at night doing repairs !!
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer KJ1197, it looks like the only conclusive evidence is that DL is different for us all. Some people can "feel the magic" and some can't. Of those that can, it is felt in varying degrees of strength. I love the history of DL and just about anything about it. I love the CM's and to me they are the true magic of DL. They have latched onto Walt's dream and perpetuated it. Without the CM's, that love the park, DL would not be much different than any other theme park, just rides and buildings. I suspect that quite of few of we die-hards have gotten to know some of the CM's on a more personal level. It's always a treat for me when one of them calls, e-mails or sends a card saying that the park has just been decorated for this or that and when are we coming down. When we are there, it's not uncommon to spend some time with them when they're off work. All of this has really added to our enjoyment and love of the park. To me the best thing about Disneyland is just being there. I admit that I usually spend the first couple days of each visit getting in all the E-Ticket attractions but there's always that excitement for me of just being in the park. It doesn't matter if the park is crowded, has fewer guests, if it's hot, cold, sunny or rainy. These are all just different flavors to be enjoyed. The only person that will be able to tell you if frequent visits will make the park less special, to you, is you. My DW Tinkeroon and I worried about the same thing when our kids were grown and that's probably a very common question. You already know what happened to us. My advice, follow your own feelings. If the park starts to feel a little mundane, back off and find that balance that allows you to enjoy it to the level that is right for you. One last thought, it never hurts to spend some time in the park with other LP'ers like midget3175 and murfsmom. The type of enjoyment and excitement they feel is highly infectious.
Originally Posted By travellerandquilter Many thanks to all who have posted. What great reading for everyone. I live in Australia so our visits are few and far between I have been once with DD and am going again in Jan with DD but reading all the posts makes me determined to come and see the Christmas themes. I am lucky that DH is in a well paid job that I can consider this an option. He thinks I am a bit crackers for being so in love with Disneyland but each to their own!!! Seeing Disneyland at different times of the year is also interesting with different crowds-large and small and different weather.
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer travellerandquilter, I've already taken up too much of this thread so I'll keep it short. Don't worry about what your DH thinks about your love of the park. If you can feel the magic, you don't have to explain yourself to anyone posting here. I find myself feeling sorry for those who can't, they are missing something very special. Before you come out, why don't you post in LP Meets and give a few of us a chance to meet you. It really is a great feeling to know that there are others, like us, who understand us and make us feel normal. It's like this, there have been a few threads of late that refered to "liberating" a little POTC water. Some might think that's really strange but I'm sure it makes perfect sense to most of us. I know it does to me. ; )
Originally Posted By tynkrbell1977 Not at all!!!! The magic never dies. LOL If I lived closer I would be there everyday, or I would at least try to get there everyday! As it is I live 6 hours away and I will be there 9/28, again on 10/5, again on 10/19, and then sometime in November but not sure of the date yet, and then 12/7!! Hee hee! LOVE IT!!!!!
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Gee, all the answers before me.... Glad to see it I am a Roller Coaster and Theme Park Enthusiast, who has turned that love into covering the parks for websites on the Internet. Looks like a new deal for me is close to being done, and it will be good for everyone. More on that when it happens. But a lot of enjoyment when I go to Disneyland, Knott's, etc. is not just the rides and attractions, but the people watching and exercise, plus the folks I meet on a regular basis. As most know, I am an Animal lover, and love to feed ducks, heck, there are 2 ducks at Knott's that know my voice and will come over when I call their names (given by the employees, not me). To me, sitting down and spending time with them is some of the most relaxful time I have ever had in my life. Do I feed the ducks every-time I go to Disneyland, no, but I feel guilty if I go to Knott's and fail to stop by and say hi and feed Missy and Petey II. This last week, I did ride a few things at Disneyland, such as Space Mountain, which was basically a walk-on and Indy, which has a MUCH better sound system since they closed for 3 days to install the new system. But then I also had a great time on Sunday, starting with taking photos of the construction of the DVC units over at the GCH, then meeting the regulars at the Noon Meet at the Hub, then spending time with a few folks at Lunch, and then heading over to the Lost Bar, and the ESPN Zone to watch the Chargers game (thank goodness I missed the first half and say hello to friends. (Sigh, just saw the Kevin Everett (Bills) hit again on ESPN, he is in my prayers!). But it was basically a day of socializing, rode the Monorail one way to enter the park, but that was the only attraction I went to. I also have strong memories of riding the Omnibus this week. I found out that a long time CM passed on who worked on the Main Street vehicles, Carl. Yes, I knew he was sick and on medical leave, but it is still tough to hear that he passed on. I rode the bus in memory of him, and glad I did. But to me honest with you, I have "photo" days, where the primary purpose is to report and take photos, and then I also have an occasional "have fun" day, where I might still take a few photos, but the primary purpose is to just have fun. I find that I have more fun at Six Flags Magic Mountain than the other parks, partly due to my love of roller coasters, but also the fact we don't get there very often. We avoid the summer due to the heat and crowds, and pick slow days for the most part to truly enjoy the park. It is my favorite park currently, and looking forward to the upgrades planned for 2008. But of course, I wouldn't go to Disneyland if I didn't have fun. And for those folks who ask why I go to DCA if you don't love it. Well, it is OK, but look at my photographs, there are many days I go to Disneyland and avoid DCA, and when I go to DCA, it is basically for photos, I do ride Screamin' a fun coaster, but take photos while I ride, and then the Sun Wheel, also for photos. I can't remember the last time I rode something other than those 2 rides at DCA. But I specifically went to Knott's last Friday to get a last ride on Ghostrider before it went on a 2 week refurb. So to me, I am so glad I can get to Knott's and Disneyland with ease, and wish Magic Mountain was closer!
Originally Posted By 8 ilovemickey 8 Thanks for sharing Darkbeer I always like hearing your perspective. <(Sigh, just saw the Kevin Everett (Bills) hit again on ESPN, he is in my prayers!)> Don't want to get off topic but he is also in my prayers. They are talking about him being paralyzed or even dying. Hopefully he makes a turn for the better! What a scary scary thing!
Originally Posted By The-Tink-Mobile hi we live in canada a small town called cloverdale just north of the bellingham border , we have always been disney fans , because we live so far away we can't get there like most of you folks, we have one disney store here in british columbia in another bigger town called burnaby, my name is a household name there, we can't wait to see disney for my third time this christmas, cindy my wife who has cancer and has been to disney world three times, i have yet to go, and of course to disneyland numerous as well, before i met her, we were very poor so we didn't get that chance coming from a family of 11 it was tough, this will be a very special trip for us, cindy has just received two days ago that there is more activity in her well baby section, she is worried , willie at hojos has been so kind to us giving us a nice room in the 6th floor tower , at a happy rate, so cindy could have a nice view , we have never met willie but are looking forward to, we are planning to use our photo pass to the hilts if you know any great spots and best times could you let us know, we are there from the dec22 date to about jan 2 or 3rd as cindy has more tests at that time as well ...hope we can meet some of you, take care hugs from the tink mbile, hi lulu how are you..: )
