Originally Posted By momof4boys lasvegasgirl- you brought tears to my eyes and I completely understand. I have told this story before. We used to go to DL every couple of years and it was a fun vacation. Then 4 1/2 years ago, we were planning a vacation for DL when we found out that my youngest son's heart condition had become much worse and his future was questionable. I was comforted by my best friend. 3 weeks later her youngest son ( my youngest's best friend) drowned in a neighbors pond. We have never felt such grief- comforting my friend through her grief, knowing it could be us soon. Friends convinced us to still go on our vacation- if only for the kids. We went 2 weeks later, still consumed with grief and worry. And something magical happened- for brief moments of time, we forgot our pain and our worries. It was a different world and we immersed ourselves in the escape. The entire family felt it. Not knowing what the future held, we planned our " wild year of Disney" and went to DL 4x in 18 months- not easy or cheap living in Oklahoma. It was pure magic. Now we all crave it. We went March 2006 and aren't going again until March 2008 because we are going on a Disney Cruise next summer. We are SO excited about the cruise, but we still long to go to DL- our escape. We considered going to WDW when we are in Fl. but have decided not to for several reasons- one is because we don't really have the time to fully explore it but mainly because it just isn't the same. DL is our "home", our safe haven. Somehow it feels like we are "cheating" on it to go to WDW. I know that sounds completely crazy and some day we might devote a vacation just for WDW. Even though Nathan's heart is stable right now, it could all change tomorrow. I long for the escape so much. I even mentioned to my husband, maybe we could squeeze in a March trip to DL? He even pondered the idea for a moment before he reluctantly said there was just no way we would have the money. Hopefully the cruise will provide the same escape for us.
Originally Posted By Pollyana God Bless you and your family! Nathan is a trooper for sure. Maybe it does have something to do with Disney Magic... Remember Disneyland is: Where Laughter is Timeless Imagination has no age And dreams are Forever! I agree with you about WDW. Never been there....I feel like it will ruin Disneyland if we go...Maybe someday...but I am extremely happy with my little DL......
Originally Posted By Pixie Glitter Dabob2 said: <<<I agree that the biggest thing is just the magical way it makes you feel when you're there. There's no logic to it - you feel it, or you don't. As someone said, nothing there is real - and yet you feel a sort of heightened reality. Or alternately heightened and stylized reality.>>> Perfect expression of how I feel about Disneyland. . . thank you!
Originally Posted By waltgirl For me Disneyland represents the only three things that are eternal: Faith, hope, and love. At Disneyland everyone seems to have the faith of a child. Faith in what you can't see. It's knowledge of who you are in the midst of a crazy, hateful world. At Disneyland everyone seems to have faith in humanity and the inherent goodness of people. There is nowhere else on Earth I feel faith so much, nowhere else on Earth I feel so faithful. Disneyland is hope. Hope in the promise of tomorrow. Hope in the knowledge of a diverse, plentiful history. Hope for a better world is in the eyes of everyone. People look around and hope that this is reality and the blessed ones know that it is. Disneyland is where hope thrives, grows, infects and consumes everyone within it. Finally, Disneyland is immersed in the greatest, most powerful force in the Universe: Love. People from every nation and walk of life come together to experience reality. The reality that love conquers. Every detail of every buidling and attractions is a work of honest, pure love and you can feel it. The blessed can feel it. It's a place where love is shared and people can begin to find true fellowship. Disneyland fills everyone with love. It is magical because it is full of love.
Originally Posted By Disney Joy For me Disneyland is such a blessing... To have such a place to go that takes all my cares away. The last 2 years I have went solo. What therapy. No one understands me... why I go there every year... how I could go alone....they are all confused. ) My solo trips have been the best trips of my life, although I would never tell that to my grandkids. ) I just love the place. It is wonderful. It makes me tear up thinking about it....how it has helped my life to be able to go to such a place. And there are so many other reasons but that is the main ones.....
Originally Posted By Pixie Glitter Disney Joy, my first trip to Disneyland was by myself. I know exactly what you mean. . . that trip was so rejuvenating. I had the most wonderful time, and so few people understood how that could be so.
Originally Posted By Disney Joy Pixie Glitter ~ the funny thing is years ago I saw a man in line, and it was obvious he was alone. I kept looking - it was Peter Pan's flight - I thought oh how sad - he's all alone. HA - if only I knew...and no way could anyone have told me years later that would be.....and for all those who may look at solo's and think - oh how sad - if you only knew...where for those that read here...you do know....LOL
Originally Posted By Disney Joy to finish - the know is how fun, relaxing and joyful a solo trip can be.
Originally Posted By Pollyana I went to Disneyland with a girlfriend for a week straight. I missed my husband soooo much...I felt guilty that I wasn't sharing the magic with him.... I will never do that again...Since then, my husband and I have been there, just the two of us..It is very nice indeed!
Originally Posted By lasvegasgirl momof4boys............ now YOU have me crying..... God bless your sweet baby..... I really hope he stays healthy and happy. You and your family are in my thoughts........
Originally Posted By thenurmis Yeah the first post pretty much catches my feelings as well ( GOOD JOB) . It's just about the only place in the world where I can just chill, and loose my self in magic....well Disneyland and pretty much any skatepark with a good bowl ; )
Originally Posted By mele While I know it's not true, I love Disneyland because it seems like nothing bad ever happens there.
Originally Posted By carguy_16 Its just the magic of it all. I cant explain it, it is just my happy place.
Originally Posted By smeeeko I don't love disneyland.. but because of Disney & the fun I had at WDW that that I eventually met my husband so it can't be all that bad. =)
Originally Posted By p-n-p06 Being in Disneyland to me feels like when I was a kid (say prior to age 12) on Christmas Eve--and it feel that way from the moment I walk in until I leave. I call it the place of Perpetual Christmastime; no matter what season it may be it's about the magic. I must admit, however, when I am pulling out the credit card to purchase food--maybe a Churro--the overpricing on stuff like that and water (for Pete's sake!) AND paying that CA sales tax everytime (I live in Oregon--land of NO sales tax) I am momentarily jolted back into Adultland, LOL!
Originally Posted By p-n-p06 To everyone that thinks a trip to WDW might "ruin" DL for you or that you're "cheating" let me tell you that I used to think those same thoughts and you are very wrong! I didn't go to DL until I was 29 years old and it was so worth the wait but I wish I'd gone sooner. After the first trip it became the addiction and I went with my family three more times. In 2004 my boyfriend (now fiance) and I went to WDW. My first time ever on an airplane (the DL trips were by car and train), my first time further east than my own state (I live in Oregon), our first vacation together and my first time to WDW. Please believe me, those who haven't been yet, it is so worth going and you will LOVE it! Honestly, it is not the same as DL at all in feeling--it feels more Disney and less Walt--but it's amazing and inspiring 100 times over even DL just in the sheer scope! My favorite part of WDW is EPCOT hands-down, and then Animal Kingdom. Disney-MGM was a cleaner Universal Studios for my taste...and Magic Kingdom was my third on my list. There is an awful lot to see and do, however, so when you do go give it at least a full week to really enjoy it all! Please, go, go, go and take your kids--you will love DL all the more when you go back after WDW, I promise.
Originally Posted By Pollyana I needed to hear that p n p. I am so afraid of going to WDW. You are making it easier for me to decide on when to go. Thank you so much!
Originally Posted By nemopoppins I'd love to go to WDW, but it would cost for us as much as three Disneyland trips. Mostly for airfare (there's seven of us from SF Bay Area), but from the website, it looks as though everything costs a bit more there too. I love Disneyland too much to give up three trips for something I'm not sure of.
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove LasVegasGirl & MomOf4Boys : love and prayers for you both. We sent our daughter and her husband and their 4 sons (aged 6 and under) to WDW 2 years ago after her husband was diagnosed with leukemia. It was their one wish, in case Chris didn't make it. It's been 2.5 years now, and he's still here, in remission. Their vacation will be in their hearts forever and I know Walt is happy for your families and mine, and all the others who have trod those special steps into Neverland. My best moment was walking out of the castle at Disneyland, on a trip with other teenagers from 29 Palms Marine Corps Base. I was lagging behind and luckily so: the band by the Carnation place struck up the song I was named for, "Laura", and I do believe Count Basie's band was the one doing the playing. It happened in 1968, so my memory may be a bit fuzzy. I cried with joy. Still do, to this day.
