5 Reasons Why We Love Disney (and we think you should too)

“The idea for Disneyland came about when my daughter’s were very young and Saturday was always Daddy’s day with the two daughters. So we’d start out and try to go someplace, you know, different things, and I’d take them to the merry-go-round and I took them different places and as I’d sit while they rode the merry-go-round and did all these things – sit on a bench, you know, eating peanuts – I felt that there should be something built where the parents and the children could have fun together. So that’s how Disneyland started… it all started from a Daddy with two daughters wondering where he could have a little fun with them, too.” – Walt Disney

Welcome to another Disney Friends Blog Hop! Since it’s still “the month of love”, all of our posts this month are about things we love.

If you have been following us for some time, it won’t come as a surprise to know we LOVE all things Disney. But one thing we get asked all the time is “why?” There are so many places in the world to go and see, why would we keep choosing to go back over and over? And why should you choose to spend your hard earned money to visit the parks? We want to share our top 5 reasons why we love Disney, and why we think you will too. 

If you are new to our blog you will notice that there are different colours. We are four sisters with four opinions and perspectives. Black is for Erica, Red is for Heidi, Yellow for Elisia, and Danielle is Grey (and for this post, Walt is blue). Because one opinion is fine, but four is better.

1. It’s our family happy place:

“A man should never neglect his family for business.” – Walt Disney

No doubt about it, I think we would unanimously agree that Disney is our family happy place. Anyone that has grown up on Disney knows what we are talking about, but even if you haven’t there’s still time. My husband had only been when he was a toddler and didn’t remember anything. He came with us for the first time when he was 20 and now it’s his happy place as well and something we have now instilled in our kids. 

It doesn’t even matter what age range you go with. As we said in our post “Little Kids and Disney, Don’t Wait“, even if they are too young to remember you can still have a blast together. I have amazing memories of bringing my 13 month old to Disney, and though she won’t remember, she had the time of her life. Plus, that’s what pictures are for!

We affectionately call our dad “Disneyland Tom” when he’s anywhere near Disney… it just brings out the best in him and all of us. There is tons of the world to see, for sure… but there’s just nothing that brings us more joy than experiencing Disney with the different generations. We now have decades of memories intertwined with new memories, and watching our kids experience things that we experienced is just an unbelievable feeling. It’s never too late to start traditions for your family! We just know you won’t regret taking yours.

2. There is something for everyone:

“The idea of Disneyland is a simple one. It will be a place for people to find happiness and knowledge. It will be a place for parents and children to share pleasant times in one another’s company.” – Walt Disney

 

I really like that there are ride “levels” for everyone. If you get motion sick, sure there are some rides you’ll want to stay away from, but there are other rides to go on. If you’re a thrill seeker, there are several rides that will get the adrenaline pumping. Even if you aren’t a ride person at all there is something for you! Between the shows, shopping, and food/coffee there is always something to do to enjoy yourself. My husband and I went last year with a friend that doesn’t like rides very much and even she enjoyed everything Disney had to offer!

Any age, any interest, you’ll find something for everyone at a Disney Park. I can’t think of another place in the world that hits so much broad interest. Star Wars, Marvel Super Heroes, rides, art, food, music… there really is something for everyone.

3. It’s always changing and evolving:

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps us down new paths.” – Walt Disney

One of the things I love about Disney is that it’s always changing and evolving. No matter how often we go, there is always something new to discover. A new ride, perhaps a new land, a new parade or firework show. The snacks and food are always changing (hello foodies) and there are just so many other little things. I love the feeling of nostalgia, but I also love having new experiences; for me this keeps me coming back again and again. 

This is always what starts my itch! They’ll change a ride, renovate an area, add a new restaurant and then I just have to go see it for myself! Often when they announce that something is changing, people start getting upset, saying the original is always better, why change a good thing, blah blah blah. The thing is, Walt himself said that Disneyland would never be finished. Now, I’m not going to lie, when they said they were changing the Tower of Terror to Guardians of the Galaxy, I was one of the first people to revolt. But they took an amazing ride and made it even more incredible. So you just need to trust the process.

Walt wasn’t kidding when he said it wasn’t going to be finished. We were just in Walt Disney World last February (2019), and since then they have opened up Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and more! Then there’s the new parade at Disneyland… I could go on and on.

As Disney lovers that are only able to make it out every other year or so this keeps the magic and draw alive. Plus with new technologies, WOWZA (soooo looking forward to seeing the floating mountains of Pandora).

4. Location, location, location:

“Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy.”
 – Walt Disney

I wish we all could be California girls (you just sang that, didn’t you?). Sunny California always brings on those vacation feels right away. Even in their “cold” season, it still has that SoCal vibe. We happen to have family there, so that is another highlight for us. And as for Florida, once again, give me all that tropical weather. It’s typically warm and humid all year round which makes this a wonderful vacation spot any time of the year (except for Jan and Feb which can get VERY cold… during the Princess runDisney I saw that it was as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or 9 degrees Celsius… that is cold!) It’s really nice that the Disney parks are warm destinations for the most part. It is always a nice change from Rain-couver (that’s what we affectionately call Vancouver, BC because it gets so much rain).

A big part of my love for Disney does stem from the fact that we are only a two hour plane ride away from Anaheim. We can often get quite affordable flights, so it is somewhere to get away if you have less than a week. If we have more time, it’s also only a two day drive (if you’re really trying to save money). This does make it easier to get there more often.

What I love about Disneyland is that not only are you able to enjoy the parks but you are also able to get a good taste of Southern California. Hollywood, beaches, shopping, restaurants, you’ve got it all! And personally I like not having to deal with a time change always so it is nice to have the two parks across the country so that you can do what works for you! (Check out some of the things we did in LA here.)

Even in Orlando, we didn’t even scratch the service of all there is to do there! Universal Orlando absolutely blew me away, and we found some local hidden gems around Orlando, too (check them out here!). There will never be enough time to do all that you want to do on a Disney Vacation.

5. There’s no place in the world quite like it:

“I don’t want the public to see the world they live in while they’re in the Park. I want them to feel they’re in another world.” – Walt Disney

Sure there are plenty of theme parks and thrilling amusement parks all over the world. But Disney managed to capture something extraordinary when he created Disneyland. No other place can transport you into the magical land of fantasy, or into Batuu (Galaxy’s Edge), the incredible world of Pandora, the Wild West of America or a riverboat cruise through the jungle.

The attention to detail always astounds me. They go so far as to camouflage their speakers in order to fit the theme of the “land” (on Splash Mountain they disguise them as rocks!), down to the smallest little details like finding a small sheltered nook and having ambient noises and things going on. I always love hearing the “piano lessons” going on in the upper parts of the buildings and other things like that. You really do feel like you are in a whole other place.

I love that Disney Parks engage all of your senses… ride Pirates of the Caribbean and Soarin’ Over the World, and you’ll know EXACTLY what I’m saying. There’s something to see at every turn, and it’s a completely immersive experience! They even change the music in the parks to mirror how you feel. As you walk in you can’t help but pump your arms to “Fantasmic” as you take in the excitement on Main Street… and at Park close, it’s gentle, reflective music. I feel like no matter how hard you try to take it all in and notice every detail, there is always something you didn’t see.

“To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past… and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America… with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.” – Walt Disney  

Don’t forget to check out our Disney friends blog posts for this month!

Roll Call:
1. www.stressfreemickey.com
2. www.skywaytowonderland.com
3. www.dustlesspixie.com
4. www.hdgoursliceofhappiness.com
5. www.minnieonmain.com
6. www.thedisneydinks.com

Have a magical day!
Erica, Heidi, Elisia and Danielle