What’s so magical about the Magic Kingdom?
photo by RogerBarker2
Did I miss something? Is it some sort of rite of passage to visit Disney World? I went when I was 10 years old, and I don’t remember it being magical. Not that it wasn’t: I just don’t remember. My trip to Washington, D.C., left a more lasting impression. Yet many parents believe they have to take their children there at least once. Or what? If you don’t, are you a parental failure?
I’ve heard some parents claim that even if the kids don’t remember it, they do. I’ve also heard comments such as, “It’s not the rides or park, but it’s the experience, and it was the time of their lives.” Which part? The cost, crowds or long lines? Some people go there every year. I must live under a rock.
I realize each family decides what is best for them. It’s definitely a personal decision. But I have to admit how shocked I am by the number of families who refuse to help pay for their kids’ college education, don’t have an emergency fund, have a mountain of debt or have even been laid off, yet they’ve still gone, sometimes more than once. Sure, I know there isn’t anyplace like it, and there are tons of discounts to be found. No one forces you to buy merchandise or overspend while you’re there. It’s also none of my business what folks do with their money. It just blows my mind that some of these very same people are willing to scrimp on their food budget to the extent that it actually scares me. But, hey, their kids went to Disney World. Food bill: $50; gas: $4.00 per gallon; college education: $0; Disney: priceless.
The funny thing about Disney is that it splits people into those who have been and those who haven’t. My husband and brother have never been, and both say that my opinion is what it is because I’ve been there. Huh? Heck, I think my brother (an adult, mind you) is still jealous that I went and he didn’t.
I need to take my kids there like a fish needs a bicycle. The problem is that I’m married, and that involves compromise and negotiation, and my husband wants to take our kids. My daughter is all about Disney princess. I see a mouse-ears hat in my future.
After a few talks about these magical vacations, I’ve learned that the word on the school playground is all about who is heading, or has already been, to Disney. Not just whether you’ve ever been there but whether you’ve been there this year! And here I was worried about bullying and the peer pressure of smoking, alcohol and drugs. I guess I need to prepare my kids for Mickey pressure during recess, too.
I look at affordable activities based on the happy factor. How much happier or fulfilled is my family in comparison to how much I spend? My point is not to offend House of Mouse lovers or to discourage anyone from going. But if you haven’t taken your kids on this magical vacation, it’s OK. Really. Don’t feel guilty. Don’t get a tear in your eye when you see the commercials. Instead, consider all of the other big and small moments you share with your family.
I’m in the process of creating a memory jar for my mom. It’s a decorated mason jar filled with little slips of paper. Each piece of paper has a handwritten memory from my childhood. It’s all the best of the best that I remember about my mom. For example, when I was 13 years old and came home from school feeling ugly, she hugged me as I cried my eyes out. She told me how smart and beautiful I was, and explained what seemed like the entire world to me within a couple of hours. And the way she always encouraged my creativity. I could go on and on. Strangely, the vacation to Disney wasn’t one of more than 300 memories I wrote down. Is it really the “happiest place on Earth”?
Posted by Sara Noel
on June 6 2008. Filed under Frugal & simple living, Home & family.Sara Noel owns Frugal Village, LLC and is a nationally syndicated columnist with Universal Uclick. Bio, Follow me on Twitter, Join us on Facebook
I would like a good, easy wrap to serve for breakfast -
1something different??
I just read your column about Disney vacations. This is something I’ve grappled with for years (my oldest son is 20 and has not yet been to Disney) and am thrilled to find someone who not only has the same position but is able to articulate it sensibly. I can usually only get two or three valid points out before I start making snide rodent comments.
If you want another reason to shun the rat I’ll share with you something I learned recently. Two different families I know have recently visited the magic kingdom – west coast. I guess if you go to the customer service office on main street and tell them your poor child is ADD and simply cannot wait in line they will give you a pass allowing you to go straight to the start of all the rides. My friends were so thrilled that they were able to go on four or five times as many attractions without the stress and bother of waiting in line. Meanwhile the folks that believe in waiting their turn (as I would have thought friends of mine do) get to wait that much longer.
2I just finished reading your article on Walt Disney World and while I am not a fan of Disney World, I would be one of those people who thinks kids need to go to Disneyland.
I lean towards Disneyland for a couple of reasons. One, it was the first and only park Walt Disney saw through before his passing and I live in Oregon, so I am partial to CA over FL. My husband, however, would be like you. He literally rolls his eyes into the back of his head if I even bring up going back to Disneyland. Our son is now 15 and family vacations will be ending soon, so I have this memory in my head of how great it was when I went (four times before I had my son) and the time we took him.
Thanks for your perspecitive on Walt Disney World, it was great to read your article.
Gwen
3Hello Sara,
4I just read your article about Disney in our local paper. Loved it! I have not been there nor did we ever take our kids there. I have no desire to go. I have relatives who go often. I don’t get it. I thought it was very well written. I also like the idea about your gift idea for your mother.
Thanks for the bright spot this morning,
Mary
Minnesota
Hi Sara,
I try to read your column which is published in our newspaper, the Muskegon Chronicle, as much as possible. I learn more about how my family can cut corners, and am often affirmed that we’re doing the right things.
I’ve never written to you before, but wanted to say a big AMEN to your column.
We have two sons, 7 and 11, and many folks in our school chat it up about their treks to Disney. I’ve often wondered if it’s more of a status thing for parents and not so much about the whole “experience” for the children.
I’ll admit that we’ve sent off for the promotional DVD and have looked into it in the past, but it’s simply not a priority. There have been times when I’ve felt a pang of guilt for not saving for a Disney trip. However, I often remind myself (and my sons) that we are tremendously blessed to have a house, two vehicles, food, employment, and our health.
We live two states away from friends and family, and try to instill in our boys that it is important to us that we take family trips “back home,” so they can get to know those loved ones better.
Magic is fleeting, and seemingly comes at a price. The love of friends and family, along with the appreciation of what you have, is what lasts and can’t be purchased. Values are taught, not bought.
Kindly,
5Teresa
Norton Shores, MI
Dear Sara,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your comments. It was printed in my local newspaper, The Herald, in Sharon, PA.
Everyone made me feel like a “misfit” because I saw no magic there when I went for the first time in 2007. (I was 46 years old then). You made me feel okay to feel the way I feel.
6dear Sara my wife and I enjoyed this column in the local sunday paper. our sentiments exactly is there an e-mail newsletter available ??? if so ,,please advise
7I want to commend your article. How wonderful to know someone else feels the same as I do about the “Magic Kingdom”! I have checked out your web site and love it and will be using many of your suggestions. A hearty thank you for your information and beliefs which so many of our youth growing up in the USA need to know about!
8I’m not a WDW fan, but I am a fan of the sun in winter. The thing about WDW for many of us on the east coast is that we can actually take a vacation in the sun in the middle of winter without passports for growing children, or having to buy $$ plane or cruise tickets for an entire family. Driving may not be the safest way to go, but it’s not nearly as costly as 6 or 7 plane tickets. One can actually RV camp at Disney (not that I have). The hotels can be dirt cheap as well. The value resorts are often as low as $89/night (with AAA). We’ve also shared house and condo rentals (not a time share!). One recent trip for two weeks found us spending only $1,000 for 14 nights of accomodations for the 6 of us. (Extra for food, and tickets for those who wanted to go to the parks, of course). We shared a two story, 5 bedroom, 3 bath house (with a private heated pool) with friends, and my inlaws. It was very frugal, considering everyone had a wonderful time. The kids all got to bunk together, and it was fantastic. I’ve had get-aways where I’ve read by pool most of the time. (Busy parents get what I am puttig down here.) If you stay in a WDW hotel, folks with older teens can send them off to the park on WDW transportation, and stay sitting by the pool. There really is something for everyone. If I lived in Kansas or Montana and had to shell out thousands to get somewhere warm, I would not choose WDW…but for those of us within 24 measly hours of driving (sometimes there are more Canadians at the WDW resorts than Americans…heehee, eh?) can actually end up with some warmth on our sun-starved winter skin, and without having to spend thousands on flights out of the country, complicated plane changes, or risky vomiting germs on cruise ships. I’ve had friends who have found good bargains for short cruises, of course. However, I would rather have 14 days of sunshine (well, if you are lucky) over 4 or 5 nights on a cruise ship. Since this is a frugal living website, I wanted to point out there are ways to save money on this sort of vacation. Now…WDW instead of college or healthy food? I would advise against that.
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