Why do adults traveling without children go to Eurodisney?

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insoupconne

I think that one hypothesis not being proposed yet is that Disney hooks children and keeps them captive for life. The adult Disney fans are happily enslaved. Though I can't understand it specifically - I'm not saying this is good or bad - and I can understand it generally as Nestle has captivated me 100% and I'm pretty sure they snatched me as a child. I love Nestle Quick, Willie Wonka, Coffeemate, Lean Cuisine - you name it - if it has a shelf life and I love it, it is likely Nestle. To aim at children is uncomfortable. But Disney aiming at me as an adult is on the mark - I am thankful they have created shows like "Alias" and movies like that little sweetie, Ratatouile. Just because that little mouse got under my skin, does not mean I have seen more than five of the animated movies in my life. On the contrary, I knew a couple of grown women who would be as happy watching a "Cinderella" video on a Friday night as "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." They were bonkers for all things Disney, especially the commercialized stuff like re-working winnie the pooh (ugh!). They took a trip to Disneyworld together, not being first timers, at about age 24 but were hesitant to tell people because they thought those people would be jealous if they weren't invited. that struck me as very out of touch and it was one of the first indications I was starting to have less and less in common with them. I would guess their parents had the money to bring them at the right age (~ages 4-7?) and it imprinted on them forever. My parents left me at home when I was about age four and instead took an older family member and my foster brother who was about age fourteen. I remember being devastated as they all came back raving about what a "magical place it was." At the time, it seemed cruel, but now I realize they did me a favor as all that mickey-mania never "took" with me. My parents took me to Disneyworld in my early adolescence but I could not understand why everyone had been raving about plaster spinning on spindles. In my mid teens, I was taken there again and though I'd been given a hundred or so dollars for spending money, I used only ~$12.00 of it to get a tee-shirt. Had D-land really captured my imagination, I'm sure I would have spent it all. And on this next statement, perhaps i lose all credibility in light of my jaded past, but i had almost forgotten that my husband went to Disneyland in his 20's for the first time and loved it - I think you are a unique individual to be able to do that. Back to the sisters' grim, since they love the Disney vacation resorts and everything Disney - I assume they're still shopping often - I think it's possible that country lines become blurred to them and the world is just one big Disney themepark. It would be like arriving in New York and wanting to hit each and every landmark - the Statue of Liberty, MOMA, the Brooklyn Bridge but instead it's Disney/Florida, Disney/California, Disney/Europe and Disney/Japan. One of the two women raved about a trip she took to Europe where she saw something like fourteen countries in twelve days. I was astonished anyone could love such a harried hurry hurry all inclusive trip with tour guide (is she bionic? is she immune to jet lag?). I prefer staying longer in one country and seeing and experiencing local restaurants and whatever that particular country has to offer and most lovely of all - meeting the people. I have a hard time understanding her but I try to keep an open mind. As far as the kid-less thing, that I must applaud. I have met a small but memorable handful of people who use their kids as an excuse to stay home but spend more time playing golf, gabbing on the phone, gossiping, getting into petty intrigues or clothes shopping etc than actually taking care of their kids and what i find amazing is how they brag about how much they've sacrificed! I think it's one thing to do all of the above time-wasters but it's another to do them and infer you wouldn't if you didn't have to stay home with the children. While i believe most stay-at-home mothers do take wonderful care of their children, i am only talking about those that do not. i think the children who's mothers are profoundly distracted would prefer to be in a well-run daycare or with a compassionate nanny. so, i agree that it's a shame not to appreciate the treasures in each country and trade them in in order to compare the finer shades of Disneylands, -worlds, -etc, but if one is going to indulge in a guilty-pleasure like eurodisney, i applaud their authenticity in doing it in a spirit of transparency!!! bravo! encore!

David G

They're trying to recapture parts of their lives that they missed out on. It also REMINDS them of being innocent, letting them fall into the trance of wonderment and fantasy.

Personally, I think it's pretty lame for an adult to do that, but that's why.

Sybaris

Chacun a son gout! Obviously everyone has their own agenda.

I've seen so many instances of people wanting to gravitate towards their own compatriots when abroad, even if their visit is only for a short time. I was in a Parisian bathroom when an English lady commented to my friend and me how nice it was to hear an English voice. I found that difficult to understand. We'd come to France to hear French, to experience the culture, sights, food, etc, and had plenty of time to hear English when we returned to London! Someone else complained about drinking coffee out of bowls when we were touring the wonderful chateaux of the Loire Valley.

I see many questions on this site from English people asking where they can get English food in other countries, or can they get teabags/chocolate/whatever in Paris, Rome, etc. In Crete a few years ago, I steered clear of the Irish Pub and the places where they promised the Full English Breakfast. Some years ago I spent time with my English boyfriend based in Budapest who remarked (not altogether positively) upon my interest in meeting the Hungarians and visiting their own particular places instead of sticking with the English people of the office in doing their own activities.

From my own point of view, the last place on my list when visiting France would be Disneyland. If I want Disneyland, Iâ€™d go to America where it would surely be the best. When in France, Iâ€™ll go for the art, history, culture, food and so on. Iâ€™ll admit it seems a little extraordinary that the French permitted such a diversion in their country!

I do wonder sometimes why people want to go to foreign countries if they donâ€™t want to savour the differences and leave behind the familiar for a while. I do understand a yearning for the things one has grown up with if one is living abroad â€“ but for a few days or weeks, isnâ€™t it a little bit sad that one canâ€™t embrace something exciting and different and new?

Iâ€™m not sure if I answered your question; but I do agree with you. I donâ€™t know the answer. Perhaps itâ€™s just the fear of the unknown?

Paris Traveler

I have adult friends who simply can't get enough of Disney--it's their "thing". I don't get that, but we're all different.

For them, going to EuroDisney is a chance to see if it is the same or different--are the songs in English or French? Are the rides the same? Do they have the same rides or are they different or better? It's also said that EuroDisney is much less crowded so perhaps this is also an opportunity to see more in a visit with less lines and hastle.

Going to Disney doesn't mean you are giving up something else either. Some people are not interested in MuseÃ© D'Orsay, but that doesn't mean they are ignorant any more that those who don't care for jazz music or shopping.

It occured to me to visit EuroDisney just because of some of these things and I thought I could get in "free" because I have a good friend who works for them. But I changed my mind becasue of exactly what you said. But that's me. Other folks want to spend their time at parks because that's their idea of fun, just like your idea of fun is singing with friends in a club.

Hello-Paris

Hello Rilifan, how are you ?

You are right, Disneyland is a good attraction but there are so many interesting things to do and to see in Paris !

It's a pitty to waste time in Disneyland for people who stay only 3 or 4 days in Paris.

wendyvonfries

Euro Disney is basically a duplicate of any other Disney park in America, so for some Americans, perhaps they feel safer in an environment they are familiar with outside of their comfort zone. Getting there involves rubbing elbows with different cultures, so not all is lost. I really believe it is the Journey.. not the destination.

Perhaps they heard about Disneyland all during their childhoods and their families could never afford to take them there, so as adults they save their money and realize a life long childhood dream.

I am just happy to see people traveling, going outside of their back yards and exposing themselves to new experiences. Eventually, once the thirsty child in their heart is quenched, perhaps the Mona Lisa and Versailles will capture their imaginations after all.

As you know, i have a company in Paris managing events and individual visits and I know that there are so many things about this city including Euro Disney that bring alot of joy to people, so why question it? As long as they are happy, you should be too.

;0) Bisou! Wendy

I Like Stories

I know more than a few adults who love going to Disney World on vacation, without kids. I don't get it either, but they love it. I guess if you are really into the whole Disney thing, then it would be on your must do list when/if you go to France.

MickeyMouse

Your comments remind me of the old saying" one man's trash is another man's treasure." Sure, Eurodisney is commercialism. OTOH, I am sure that there is no commercialism on the Champs Elysse! Ppl on vacation should feel free to do what they want and not just go to the "cod liver oil" attractions (good for you, but tastes terrible). Some ppl get pleasure from the rides, seeing Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse, etc. Others don't. If you don't, then avoid Eurodisney. I also suspect that some ppl from Canada and the UK visit Eurodisney bc of their attraction to American culture. BTW, I don't care for amusement parks either (despite my nickname) and when I was in Paris I only visited the museums.

hayman3347

In my opinion, it is simply ignorance and a waste of time & money. We go to France about once each year to visit my son & family in Tours. It's true that we take outings that revolve around their 4 year old (like local parks, etc). But we do not take him to see the "major sights" as he can not appreciate them. Similarly, I have a son-in-law that loves to travel. If he is even close to another country or state, he will drive into it and back out just so he can say he was there. This guy is well educated (has a masters degree and is principal of a middle school). Go figure :-)

Mango

Because they feel like it. Is it really bothering you so much?

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