Frankly I wish more families would spend time in WDW and stay out of Vegas...my magic kingdom.

I think this is one of the funniest posts in a long time. And to think we did it without calling anyone any especially bad names, and it stayed light. It's the first time in months that I have enjoyed following a busy post. Have a nice week, everyone

What's really funny (in a pathetic sort of way), is this recurring image I have of a family I saw at Disney, Mom, Dad, 2 kids, all very overweight, all on electric scooters, all wearing mouse ears. In the baskets of the scooters were those great big cokes and churros! It was almost like some kind of surrealistic parade in the bizarro world!

erisegaard: Whoa!! I had no idea the problem was THAT serious! Geeze, no wonder the world is such a mess today!!

If you go to "It's a Small World" then you don't need to travel anywhere else - you've seen the world!

Aw, go write a thesis!<BR>

I'm with you JB.<BR>My "have-to job" in my "have-to world" is...well, shall we say less than desirable most of the time. <BR>I don't "have to" go to Disney, but when I do (in OFF season, when there are NO lines, or crowds... or heat - like anyone with any sense should do)<BR>I enjoy myself. <BR><BR>I like Universal too - which , by the way, is WORLDS classier than the big mouse with better food, better hotels and parks that are comparable.<BR> <BR>But, "shhhhh, no one let it slip what the secret handshake is...us cult members have to stick together!"

That is funny Cindy!<BR><BR>I haven't been to Universal but would like to some day. My next trip is probably going to be either to Spain or The Alps - no mouse ears there. Hopefully, the "Cult" won't be upset with me for not going to Disney again.<BR><BR>I am having a baby in 5 days or less (will be induced on the 22nd) and my husband and I can't wait to take her to Disney...and Paris and Rome and introduce her to gourmet food...oh, and junk food too!<BR><BR>I may be part of the "Disney Cult" but I love the rest of the world too!<BR><BR>

erisgaard - first day with your new dictionary? Y

I don't have a problem with WDW - live and let live. However, I remember seeing the Lion King in NYC the first month it was open & couldn't believe the audacity of Disney! After forking over $100 per person for tickets, they forced you to exit the theater through the Disney store next door! Revolting. Cost many a parent another cool $100 I am sure. You are on such a high coming out of the show, you can't but help buying your kids a souvenier. I left the show feeling happy, and left the store feeling manipulated. Maybe it is my problem, not Disney's, but I know when I am being 'worked'.

Eisner and his happy cohorts make millions while the average Disney employee can bearly make ends meet. They wanted to put employee housing at WDW and Eisner nixed that idea. All for himself and to hell with the little people who make t-shirts, work in the Park etc.

tttt to tickly to trash

Why do some people go to Disney every year? Why do some people go to las Vegas every year? Why do some people take a cruise every year? Why do some people like me go back to the same island every year (Barbados) & stay at the same hotel (believe me, the coral & fish don't change!) ? Why do 50 million people tune in to Sponge Bob Square pants every day???Why did my kid have to see Harry Potter 15 times? Why have I read Wuthering Heights 10 times? Why ask why - its a no-brainer. BECAUSE WE LIKE IT AND ITS NO ONE ELSES BUSINESS!!!!

hahaha...is disney a cult...sometimes I wonder.(?) funny.<BR><BR>haha.

The word "cult" doesn't cover it exactly, although some of the elements are there. "Regime" comes closer, and my friends, Ellen has it right: anyone who has anything to do with Disney is "being worked." If that happened to you on an overseas trip, you would scream coercion.<BR><BR>What really tickles me, though, is that lately every time I boot "fodors.com/forums" I get an Orbitz pop-up touting "Orlando Magic."

ttt

My grandparents took me to the Magic Kingdom the first year it opened. Back then you had to purchase Coupons (A,B,C), etc. Epcot was in the planning stages and Egads! no water parks. However you could actually meet Mickey and the others on Main Street and it was just a fun place to be. I have taken my own children twice and will be repeating the trip again this year. Yah, so what it's a business but so is everything, plastic smiles are better than frowns and besides it gets the kids off Nintendo for a week.

P.S. Kudo's to Wanda, couldn't have said it better or funnier!

Erlesgaard has given me a good chuckle. He has clearly had his mind bent to the exact degree he is lamenting, only in a directly oppositional position!!! You can't be influenced unless you choose to let something influence you. I giggle at this the same way I get a giggle out of hearing a "doormat" complain about being walked on!

Wow.....the extent of selfishness in our society has reached an all-time high.....Here you guys are, arguing and getting hot-headed over where people like to vacation.....do you even stop to realize for one second that hundreds of millions of people in this world would kill to be able to go on ONE nice vacation in their lifetime. Not to mention all of the SERIOUS issues that are facing our country....I hardly think that Disney fans being in a cult qualifies as "serious." Why don't you all take the time that you would post a rebuttal on this thread and think about all the thousands of people who died on September 11th and the fact that they will never be able to vacation again....it will put it all in perspective for you.....