The Disney Bubble – it’s a very real phenomenon (doo-doo-do-doo-doo). In fact, I’d ague that for most “Disney people”, The Disney Bubble is an integral, vital part of the Disney vacation experience and one of the primary reasons we feel compelled to return to Walt Disney World time and time again.
For those of you who haven’t yet experienced it, didn’t notice it, or haven’t known what to call it, the Disney Bubble is the total immersion in the magic of Disney upon arrival at Walt Disney World. You enter the Bubble and everything changes – the worries, stresses, and cares of everything outside the Bubble disappear. The weight of adult responsibilities – mortgage, bills, car repairs, office politics, home maintenance, kids’ homework, activity schedules, and so on just lifts away. Once that weight is gone, you feel better, younger, lighter, happier.
For Disney Bubble addicts, once we leave the Bubble, one of our primary concerns is always when and how we will get back in. This is why count-down calendars/calculators are so popular with us. There have been particularly stressful times in our life when knowing that if we could just make it through the next XX # of days, we could get back to Disney and the Bubble would make everything seem better. People that, sadly, have never experienced this most amazing aspect of Disney travel are the ones we can count on to be perplexed at our propensity to vacation at Walt Disney World over and over. They ask, “Where are you going on vacation?” We answer, “Walt Disney World” and they look at us in confused pity and say, “AGAIN?” If you haven’t felt the Bubble’s power, you cannot understand its draw.
My personal Bubble Testimony: There were a few years there along the way when Megan was literally dancing 7-days-a-week and Joseph was involved in martial arts as a teacher, student, and national competitor. We joked that people thought Raymond and I had gotten a divorce because we were never seen in the same place at the same time. Every day’s schedule was based on a “divide and conquer” strategy. Walt Disney World and the Disney Bubble helped our family reconnect, relax together, eat together and enjoy each other’s company while having fun – simple, old-fashioned good times. Even looking forward to a Disney vacation gave us a common focus when our day-to-day lives were going in many different directions.
If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation and haven’t yet embraced the Disney Bubble phenomenon, here are my tips for making the most of the experience:
- Stay on Property. Whether you’re a value, moderate, or deluxe resort fan. This is an integral part of the Bubble Effect.
- Use Disney Transportation. If you fly to Orlando, use Disney’s Magical Express to get to the resort from the airport. It’s included in your resort stay and Disney will get your bags from the airport for you. Just walk off the plane and onto the motor coach. It’s literally that easy to get right into the Bubble! If you drive to Orlando, park your car at the resort and leave it there until it’s time to go home. Bus, boat, and monorail are important parts of the Disney Bubble – let Disney transportation take care of you and eliminate the worry of driving directions, navigation, and parking.
- If you must visit other, non-Disney theme parks which shall remain unnamed in this (and every) post, do not leave the Bubble to do it. Try to stay at Walt Disney World just for Disney. Go stay somewhere else if visiting other Orlando attractions. Think of it like this – coming and going from the Bubble diminishes its power. If you can, stay on Walt Disney World property either before or after visiting those other places. I’ve I were you, I’d save the best for last, of course.
Do you believe in the Disney Bubble? I have a theory that some people are, tragically, immune to the power of the Bubble. We refer to these unlucky souls as “non-Disney people”. I don’t know where their happy place is, but it is not at Walt Disney World. Probably we shouldn’t try to convert them – it wouldn’t work anyway…plus, it leaves more room in the Disney Bubble for the rest of us.
What are your thoughts about the Disney Bubble?
This article was originally posted on Lisa's Living a Disney Life Blog
Editor's Note: Lisa can also be found co-hosting The Disney Exchange Podcast along with Dave Hodges and myself! - Nick
I love the Disney bubble. The bubble is why I go to WDW by myself, it is safe, clean, fun and with such great service and CM's how could anyone resist the bubble. I am glad to be taking a friend on my next vacation (19 days but who is counting) because I want to introduce her to the bubble.
ReplyDeleteI am ready to start packing now.
I too love to be totally immersed in the Disney Bubble and forget all our "worries and strife". But still stay on Disney property even when visiting the Dark Side (another theme park ) as I prefer to come" home" after a day out .
ReplyDeleteI really get this. The total emersion in the Disney experience is what its all about for me as well. It is like the suspension of disbelief you get form the best Sci Fi movie experience you have had only on a much grander scale. Think of the best movie you have ever seen and multiply it by a week and you can get an inkling of what i'm talking about. Even that doesn't really do it justice. Nick has really hit this on the mark.
ReplyDeleteThank you J! I wish I could take credit for the post, but it was my lovely friend Lisa Green who captured The Disney Bubble so perfectly.
DeleteThis is so true and the best way I've ever seen it explained. I am a Disney Bubble Addict!
ReplyDeleteI totally believe in the Disney Bubble!!! There is nothing like arriving at MCO and getting on Magical Express and literally feeling the stress of the real world melt away!!!Then being completely immersed in the Disney Magic for up to 10 days at a time is AWESOME!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete*sigh* I don't know why, but my hubby is immune to the bubble. :-/
ReplyDeleteI totally get it. And I never visit the OTHER places in Orlando. I keep telling myself I will one day, but that day never comes.