It’s a question that’s been bugging me a lot lately. After recently returning from WDW, I was having dinner at a new friend’s house. She asked where I had gone on vacation and I told her my family and I had just spent a wonderful week in Disney.
“Hmm,” she replied, “I never would have guessed that.”
“What do you mean?” I said.
“I dunno, I guess … you just don’t look like someone who would be into Disney.”
And there it was. Someone Who Would Be Into Disney. I had been branded, well, I’m not sure exactly what. But I’ve been thinking about it ever since.
What does a Disney fan look like? And when did being a Disney fan become a bad thing? And why does it sound so lame when other people say it?
I can see how it would be awkward, to an outsider/non-Disney fan, knowing there is Someone Who Would Be Into Disney in the room. I mean, I could burst into song at any moment, flitting about the room sprinkling pixie dust everywhere and getting glitter all over the table. And what if someone makes a disparaging remark about the latest Jerry Bruckheimer film? Would I jump on the couch and make a passionate defense of G-Force, because it is a Disney film and therefore cannot be bad? And where were my manners, showing up dressed as a normal person? How else with others be able to identify my Disney-ness if I am not wearing my Mickey ears?
But here’s the thing. I’m more than Someone Who Would Be Into Disney. I AM into Disney, period. And while other adults may choose to go to Vegas, or Palm Beach, or New York City on vacation, I choose to spend some of my vacation days in Walt Disney World. It’s an escape for me. I like having a week or so a year where I don’t have to be a grown-up all the time. And I’ve vacationed in plenty of other places as well (including the dinner-party-friendly destinations of Greece, Ireland, United Kingdom, and India), but every so often, I like to be a kid. I appreciate culture, but I also appreciate the fine art of a perfectly made Dole Whip.
In a way, Disney fans are not all that much different from (insert sports team) fans, or comic book fans, or any other niche fan group. In fact, if you got to know us, you’d realize that we have lots of other interests besides Disney, and guess what? We might even have a few things in common.
Here’s what I know about Disney fans: we’re a strong community of good people who share a love of Disney parks, music, movies, and magic. We celebrate the best Disney has to offer, but we aren’t afraid to complain if there’s a problem. We rally when there’s a tragedy. We offer advice, share information, and honor the rich history of Walt Disney World. And best of all, we connect online and make new friends. Turns out, Disney fans are pretty awesome.
And I’m proud to call myself one.
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Related Links:
*The Five People You Meet in Line at WDW
* 10 Signs You Are a Disney Dork
June 14, 2010
What Does It Mean to Be a Disney Fan?
Labels: random, walt disney world
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12 comments:
Love this! I just let a cousin I hadn't seen in years. He's 6 inches taller than me, he is good at sports and math. He lives 600 miles away. HE LOVES DISNEY. Family ties are strong, when you realize there is a potential grand gathering on your hands.
Hey this is a wonderful testament to the Gospel of Disney! ;) I'm so happy we connected via twitter and have been able to share our love of Disney across the miles. Thank you so much for including my little site in your links, that means a lot!!
Keep wearing those invisible mouse ears!! ;)
~Zanna
I completely agree with you on every single point! A few of my friends don't really 'get' that my husband and I, who do not yet have children, have annual passes to Disney World. For us, it's as stress free as going on a cruise - only more fun! We've traveled the world together, but he and I never have more fun than when we're at Disney World.
If you walked in my office, you'd instantly know I was a Disney fan. This is the one place in my house where I let my inner Disney freak fly, but my friends tell me it's done tastefully. Posters from Epcot Flower & Garden are framed on the walls. A few carefully chosen snow globes adorn the shelves. And my mug collection (there's ALWAYS a cup of coffee on my desk) is exclusively, mismatchedly, adorably Disney.
Don't tell anyone though, that my entire brand new kitchen design and color scheme was based off last year's Food & Wine poster. It's hanging there in the kitchen, framed beautifully. But most people think I bought it because it matched the kitchen so well. Little do they know it's the other way around!
Fabulous! "I AM Disney." Me too!
Every so often it becomes "fashionable" to hate on certain things, and Disney is no stranger to that.
Parts of it is justified. Disney has pulled some heavy handed practices over the years, like basically Public Domain laws have been completely rewritten to help Disney maintain control over certain properties.
But that part is really not what makes it "cool" to hate on Disney. It started (as I see it) a few years back when at first it became a movement to hate princesses because of what they "represent", because they "wait for their prince to come" and so on. "Fairy Tales" became "stoopid" compared to blood and guts and gore, and the "winner" being the one with the biggest gun, rather than a "happy ending" ...which also gets slammed. Then of course, people also every so often go through that phase that Disney is "kids stuff" and thus they are "too cool" for that.
Basically, it is a perfect storm of stupidity. I like Disney... and I am proud of that fact. Despite my little rant above about their heavy handed practices in law and politics, few companies "get" their customers and fans as well as Disney does. Few do as much to ensure customer satisfaction. And if that is wrong... then I'll be wrong and happy from here on out.
GREAT article!! I completely agree about being a Disney fan! That's how I'm categorized amongst friends and family: "the one who loves Disney." There are only a few friends who understand the escape as you call it, others think I'm insane or don't understand why someone with no kids wants to go to Disney all the time. I plan on sharing your article with others! :)
Thank you Disney Chick, you are an inspiration to all!
Great post, Disney Chick, and I want to sincerely thank you for mentioning my show/site in your list. Together, we are all able to share our passion for the intangible "Disney magic" that inspires us, and brings us all together. Hope to see you IN the parks soon... the first box of popcorn is on me! :)
I guess I've been lucky because I've never personally experienced the "backlash" or Disney Bigotry that some people I know get when they tell co-workers, friends, or family they have just come back from another trip to .
In fact, we get more "looks" and comments from people in regards to the fact we adopted our son from China than the amount of days we've logged in Disney Theme Parks.
Heck, when we were at Disneyland taking our son and daughter for the first trip, we would often hear from family about how spoiled they are (and they were using spoiled in a good way as a way of saying how lucky they are). Some people would say things like, "There is something your son wouldn't have been able to do if you hadn't adopted him".
But, I can see why there is backlash from people. In some cases its for the same reasons people attach Apple Fan because a person may come off as thinking Disney can do no wrong.
In other cases, Disney is viewed as a big evil corporation of the likes of Wal-Mart or some of the big multi-national banks because of how they are viewed to treat their employees (Google search about the union clashes at Disneyland in regards to the Hispanic work force).
In more cases, I say it's because people view Disney Theme Parks as a place for kids and in cases where you are going without kids, people think you are infantile. But, don't you ever make a side comment about someone who goes to Vegas for every vacation. In my mind, I may spend as much money but at least I come home with stuff with all the money I spend on souvenirs instead of gaming tables...haha
I personally like going to Disney because I know that I will have a good time.
I feel like cutting out this article and carrying it with me so that when the next person asked, I'll give it to them and not say a word... you said it all for me. It's never annoyed me why people question my loyalty to Disney, becuase as you said, everyone has their favorite place to vacation. But for me its never been the parks as much as it is the vision Walt brought to the world. The inspiration, awe and imagination has been a part of my life for many decades. All that I am today has at some point in my past, been inspired by something in the Disney universe of time. I celebrate it; and not try ot explain it.
Excellent post! And yes, I too am a Disney fan. People don't understand what it truly means. It is one of the most remarkable communities I have ever seen. Thank you for writing this. This has to be among one of my most favorite Disney blog posts ever!
Thanks so much to all of you for these great comments! I'm constantly amazed at the vast community of Disney fans I've found online since starting this blog almost two years ago. You guys are the best!
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