A Disney obsession is a hard ailment to explain to people who are not afflicted. Disney addicts are usually laughed at and dismissed as either being childish or some weirdo. This is especially true if you are an adult and love Disney, and God help you if you are a grown man and a Disney fan.
I think this profiling stems from a misunderstanding of what Disney is. Yes, Disney has great attractions, wonderfully themed hotels and delicious dining options, but that is not what Disney is.
Disney is about an experience, and this is what most people do not understand. It is what Disney does for you not what you do at Disney. Disney is a place to detach from reality. A place to unplug and plug into fantasy. It is a world designed to emerge a person into a world that has nothing to do with ordinary life. It’s an experience.
When I go to Disney, I am not going for the entertainment though I am going to be entertained. I go because as soon as I drive under the Walt Disney World archway, I am no longer connected to the outside world. There is nothing that reminds me of back home. No worries, no stress, no deadlines and no problems. I am free to relax and enjoy.
The Walt Disney Company has done a miraculous job creating a world of fantasy that has the magical ability to transport a person to another world. I do not think we will ever see a creation like The Walt Disney World Resort ever attempted or created by anyone else. It would not be economically feasible in today’s economy.
So, to all the people who don’t understand our addicts, go ahead and scoff, but we are the lucky ones. We have found a harmless addiction to help us cope with life. This is an escape that brings joy and happiness to us and our families. Long live the mouse!
-Hi, my name is Alan, and I’m a Disney addict.
*Photos by Mike Billick
Hi Alan! I just found your site and love it! I wrote an article very similar to what you describe here and thought you might get a kick out of it. It’s basically about plugging into the Disney Grid and staying plugged in:
https://norobots.wordpress.com/2013/09/06/plugging-into-the-disney-grid/
I also just completed an epic 10 minute Time Lapse of “A Day in the Life of Walt Disney World” which can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R277AUabZXs
I am working on a documentary as well that will focus on the Disney sub culture of fan who live, breathe’s eats and sleeps everything Disney. It is a testament to trying to understand the Disney addict and what makes the fans and the thousands of fan webistes tick. I think you would appreciate.
Best,
Tony
Great stuff! I loved the video. That must have been a blast to put together. Watching it made me want to drop everything and head to the park! Thanks for sharing it.