First things first, I’m going to assume that if you’re reading this article then you’re probably just as passionate about Disney as I am. Of course, by passionate I mean overwhelming (sometimes bordering on the “SERIOUSLY?!?!” category). As your friend and fellow Disney fanatic, I am here to tell you that it’s OK. As a matter of fact, in this community it’s preferred, understood, and embraced.
Here is what I’ve figured out so far…It’s OK to act like a big kid when you’re almost 40 years old. It’s OK to watch YouTube Disney ride videos, old Disney parades, Disney park walkthroughs, and Disney TV specials instead of the news when you eat breakfast with the kids (or without). It’s OK to have every room in the house overflow with Disney memorabilia and paraphernalia. It’s OK that the local resale shops know to put the Disney “treasures” that they receive on the side knowing that you will most likely buy them anyways. It’s OK that the vast majority of your clothes and outerwear have logos from WDW, DisneyLand, or Disney Vacation Club. It’s OK that practically every framed picture in the house has originated from the “Art of Disney” store in Downtown Disney. It’s OK that you can’t imagine vacationing anywhere in the world that doesn’t greet you with “Welcome Home”. It’s OK to have created a Twitter account solely for the purpose of staying up-to-date with all the news, rumors, and fanaticism that the Disney community provides. It’s OK that the kids (ages 9,9, and 3) know of no other way of life. It’s OK to put off buying newer cars so that you can go afford to go Walt Disney World at least once a year and most years twice. Speaking of cars, It’s OK that listening to Disney podcasts is usually the 1st choice regardless of who is in the car or how far the destination. And the 2nd choice is LIVE365 (search Disney, and Disney Parks). It’s OK that the landscaping project around the house was put off so that the family could buy 130 additional Disney Vacation Club points. It’s OK to keep working on a plan to uproot the family from Chicago and relocate to Florida full-time so that we could be immersed in the warmth of the Florida sunshine and Disney community year round.
Of course I realize that you might not be as passionate about Disney. I’m sure that my very patient and tolerant wife would say that I wasn’t always like this. But then again, we honeymooned at the Disney Institute almost 16 years ago, so she must’ve had an inkling! Heck, I’ll admit that it sort of grew on me. But let me ask you two questions….
- Do you know what the words and terms TTA, Marceline, Leota, DVC, and MagicBand mean?
- Do you drink from your RFID mugs well after your last vacation has ended?
If you can answer question 1 correctly and yes to question 2 then welcome aboard. If you can’t, it is only a matter of time until you can. That’s how it went with me and I wouldn’t change a thing or wanted it any other way.
I look forward to sharing with you more in the upcoming weeks. Feel free to share with me with what you’ve figured out on Twitter at @DisneyChicago and Chris Malek on Facebook (I am relatively new to Facebook, so I apologize in advance for any missteps here).
Chris Malek
