Originally Posted By dzy76 Its one thing to run across general public who don't get disney, but it's another to be married to one. My husband hates the word disney. So I have to be very mindful of how often I bring it up or plan my trips. He just doesn't get it. Thinks I spend too much money going - when that money could go for buying car parts. Gees - as if! But I'll admit I'm a bit obsessed. I think about Disney all day every day pretty much. In some form. I read disney books and websites. I listen to disney music and podcasts. Watch disney movies. I constantly strive to save what I can from each check to my disney vacation fund. I just have to get there to feed my soul. But I don't think I'm doing anything wrong. How can something that makes me so happy be wrong? I do love to run across people who love disney the way I do, or at the very least like it enough to hold a conversation about it. I come alive when I talk about disney. I have several people at work who I've helped with disney plans and they like to talk to me about their experiences. It makes me proud.
Originally Posted By USCSurfer Fight On, outnumbered mom! As I think on it, I must say I really do like all things Disney. So maybe I am a little (holding up thumb and index finger) obsessed.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney Almost everyone I know takes one trip to Disneyland a year, but you wouldn't call them obsessed because they don't talk about it until they are planning their trip! We go about once a year, and are more obsessed than a lot of people, but not as much as others for sure. The people I know who go every year but aren't as obsessed, come to me with lots of questions even though we go about the same amount of time because I do so much more research (like reading LP).
Originally Posted By LuLu I realize the word "obsession" is being used rather loosely, and I agree with trekker wholeheartedly that there are degrees of fandom in any interest. But... >>Actually, I think many if not most people have some sort of obsession. Some are more "mainstream," like football, or NASCAR, others like Star Trek, or tattoos, not so much.<< I have to disagree. Among my friends (including myself) I can't think of one person that has an obsession. Now, my friends might say I'm obsessed with Disney, b/c I go to DL "so much." (way less than most of you here go, or wish you could go!) But I hafta say - there are some Disney-obsessed people that I really wonder about! And I *am* a Disney fan! I'm wondering if "obsession" is more a guy thing. Usually it's guys who get obsessed with sports. I guess there are women obsessed with shopping / fashion / their looks... Why don't I know any loonies - outside the LP boards of course!!! :-D
Originally Posted By LuLu A topic "how obsessed with Disney are you?" would be interesting to me... I don't know what the rest of you think!
Originally Posted By Sara Tonin When I'm asked what's so special about Disneyland...I usually respond with, "Well you know, that's the only park Walt ever walked in as a completed park.". And they usualy try to change the subject or walk away and avoid eye contact...but I just follow and start spouting trivia...all knowledge is good, right?
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Among my friends (including myself) I can't think of one person that has an obsession. Now, my friends might say I'm obsessed with Disney, b/c I go to DL "so much." (way less than most of you here go, or wish you could go!) But I hafta say - there are some Disney-obsessed people that I really wonder about! And I *am* a Disney fan!<< I agree, LuLu. There are probably several degrees of Disney fandom (or any fandom for that matter). Obsession, to me, verges on addiction. It's obsessing over something in an effort to block out other aspects of life, entwining one's identity with a sports team, or TV show, or Disney stuff, to the point that it's ALL they have. I don't know anyone like that. I do know people that have made Disneyland their favorite hangout. And I know people who appreciate the themeing details in the park in the way a sports fan might appreciate a team's stats or finesse on the field. We say we're "obsessed" with Disney, but really, I think most of us are not. Even most rabid sports fans, ones who might paint their bodies in the team colors on game day and scream at the top of their lungs probably have otherwise normal lives. Unless, of course, they paint their bodies the team colors and scream like maniacs at home. ; )
Originally Posted By tynkrbell1977 LOL. I go about once a month. Or I at least try to. Why do people ask why we love Disneyland so much???? We dont go around asking why they like baseball so much. LOL I am actually leaving for Disneyland in about 8 hours!!!! WOOO HOOOO!!!! And then I will be there again next weekend.
Originally Posted By BlueDevilSF >>Unless, of course, they paint their bodies the team colors and scream like maniacs at home. ; )<< Heh...come to Minnesota sometime and see some of the manaics that live here.
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer ..A topic "how obsessed with Disney are you?"<< LuLu, that sounds like it would be a really fun thread. Since it was your idea...please.
Originally Posted By BlueDevilSF I'm sort of at a crossroads with the Disney stuff. I don't seem to be into it as much as I used to be. Part of it is just the way I am when it comes to anything I'm interested in, but there are other factors: 1. Coming to this site and other related sites. It is really killing my interest, yet I keep coming back to read. Really, the Internet and the way it can bring people with a common interest together is a double-edged sword for me. It's great to meet and talk with people who share a deep interest with me, but at some point it becomes too much. 2. Too many trips to DL in a relatively short period of time. It's lost some of its specialness for me. I was going to go to Gay Day this year, as I have for several years past, but I decided to skip out this year. I'm finding I'm not too broken up about that. 3. The overcommercialization and Disney's tendency to run everything into the ground. Like "High School Musical." Anyways...don't mind me...I'm just thinking out loud...
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/MsgBoard-T-90771-P-1.asp?C=1" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/Ms gBoard-T-90771-P-1.asp?C=1</a>
Originally Posted By Lisann22 BlueDevilSF I'm right there with ya. I love Disneyland but then I come on here and realize I'm an amateur in that department. Like LuLu's statement of <<<But I hafta say - there are some Disney-obsessed people that I really wonder about! And I *am* a Disney fan!>>> I feel the same way. I find it interesting that I'm the "Disney expert" in my family when it comes to knowing the parks, hotel/motel tips but then again I'm pretty much that for travel period not just Disney related. I love Disneyland but I no way obsess over it and I have to much of the rest of the world to see to make it that much of a priority. For me Disneyland is a convenient place for me to go with family/friends to social, be outside, act like a kid in a clean and safe atmosphere.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Obsession is a rather extreme word. Years ago a friend, in explaining why some people are so caught up with Disney used the term "passion." People who do not share your passion cannot understand it. I don't mind people who don't share my passion for Disneyland. (One of my dearest friends can't understand why anyone would want to go more than once a year.) What I do mind is people who feel that they must tell us, in no uncertain terms, what is "wrong" about having this passion. Or try to explain why it is just so wrong. As others have pointed out, people get passionate about many things. Sports Teams. Alma Maters. Fraternal Organizations. Collections. Some of these passions are viewed as benign (stamp collecting?), some as odd or quirky (Cheeseheads?), and some as slightly scary (Goths?). I tend to view a passion for Disneyland as odd or quirky. It's right up there with NASCAR addicts, die-hard quilters, and those folks who travel in packs with Air Stream trailers. You know... nice people.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I have to disagree. Among my friends (including myself) I can't think of one person that has an obsession.>> I probably should have used the word hobby, or interest, or something along those lines. My point was and is, all people have some sort of thing they like that others wouldn't care about or understand what the "fuss" is about.
Originally Posted By BlueDevilSF Yes, "passionate" is a good word. And the thing is, I totally get why people get so passionate about something, especially when it's over a significant period of time. I think it's a great thing, and I certainly don't think it's odd or "wrong" that people get so passionate about something. Others who share the interest, to any degree, benefit from the knowledge of folks who are into something so deeply. Myself, however...when it comes to personal interests and hobbies, I really wish I could find something and stick with it. I'm in flux, though, and it's just the way I'm made up, I guess. It can be really frustrating at times. P.S. I am planning to hit DL next year for Gay Day. Well, if the Matterhorn is open, that is.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I agree with everything you are saying Dug but I will say that one too many times I've been in Disneyland or around Disney loving people who have made me feel uncomfortable or chided me over something I didn't know or care about. Or actually became angry with me because maybe I wasn't interested in what they wanted to share with me. It was kinda scary in the grand scheme of things. So while I think there is nothing wrong with being passionate about something. I have several things I've dedicated my life to that others would probably call me too passionate about or not get. I think some are truly obsessed round here and for me personally it doesn't seem to healthy. Just my opinion, let the flaming begin.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ I love a good BBQ! I've been in your shoes, too, Lisann22. I really, really dislike be lectured to about the details of the park. I go to enjoy myself, not dissect them, not to know every detail, but to live in the moment. 20 pictures of the same thing, so you can get every angle? That's obsessed!
