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.
What is The Disney Bubble?
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. All 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. If 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?
Pingback: 5 Reasons to take a Disney Cruise Vacation - Living a Disney Life
Pingback: Quick and Dirty Disney with Teenage Boys | thriftymomrealtor
Pingback: Why Walt Disney World Must Change - Living a Disney Life
Pingback: At WDW? No FastPass? Please Stand By! - Living a Disney Life
Wonderful tips! I haven’t been to Disney in a while, but we did go to a competition at the Georgia Dome. We parked the car and were within walking distance to everything. I could see staying on the property as great tip for a stress-free vacation.
Yes! Now I know what to call it! That’s why I like Disney over that other place just around the bend…cause it ain’t got no bubble! happy SITS day 🙂
Indeed, Jean, I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for visiting.
Wow, I must admit I have never heard of the Disney Bubble but when you look at it how you explained it I guess it kinda makes sense… 😀
Thanks for stopping by, Tiffany.
Each time we go to Disney, I get asked if we are taking the kids to that “other park” too. We don’t, but I never had a name for why we just do Disney. It’s the bubble! Thanks for giving me a name for the phenomenon.
And thank YOU, Dana for not mentioning the name of the “other park” here! LOL! Thanks for reading.
When my kids were younger, my now ex-husband and I would take them pretty much every year for one of his conferences. The last time we went, my youngest, then about 2 years old, decided she had had enough. In front of Minnie’s house she screamed “I…WANT…TO…GO…HOME!” And then she promptly threw herself on the ground and insisted on me carrying her the rest of the time in what I might add was 95 degree, 100% humidity weather (my ex was at his conference which left me with her and my 2 other kids–7 and 5 years old. Yeah.). And that was the end of Disney. I have to say, enough time has passed that I wouldn’t mind going back now.
That heat is TOUGH! We live in Louisiana so we’re pretty used to it, but boy – it’s hard on little ones. I hope you give it another go sometime – it’s way easier when everyone is tall enough to ride everything and old enough to not need a nap!
Love these tips! My boys are 4 and 6, so we haven’t ventured to Disney yet, but I know it is in our future. I’ll have to bookmark your blog so that when we start planning I can check out more of your tips!!
Hi Kim! When the boys are tall enough to ride everything and the youngest doesn’t need afternoon naps anymore – that’s the perfect time for a first visit! Thanks for stopping by.
I’ve never been to Disney but bot do I ever want to take my kids there! I would totally do the bubble! Totally!
Happy SITS Day!
xoxo
The Bubble is the bombdiggity! Oh, and Jennifer? Your FB post this morning with “Medium! Large!” totally cracked me up! Thanks for stopping by…I’m a fan of your blog.
Yes! We were just there last week and the bubble is totally and very real! We didn’t stay on property which made it even more noticeable. Can’t wait to go back!
We found that the more we went, the more we wanted to go – just couldn’t get enough. Thank you for stopping by, Tricia.
I love the Disney Bubble. It’s so true! I love staying on the property and being immersed in it all! Stopping by from SITS!
Hi Kristin! I think the Bubble is what sets Disney apart from other vacation destinations. Total immersion in the magic is hard to beat. Thanks for visiting.
This is fascinating! I had never even heard of the bubble before…
I feel like I just took an advanced course in Disney 103.
I like your blog!
Stopping by from #SITS<3
Glad I could enlighten you a little, Courtney. Thanks for stopping by.
Pingback: Living a Disney Life - The SITS Girls
I totally agree with you! I look forward to climbing into the Disney bubble every time we go to Disneyland! The bubble is a great place to be!
Indeed, Meggin, yes indeed! Bubble Power! Thanks so much for stopping by.
You are so right about leaving the bubble! A couple of years ago, we left the bubble to visit another park for a day, and I felt like I’d wronged a loved one when we got back!
We will be returning to “the dark side” in December, but this time, we are doing just as you said, staying there a night, and then entering the bubble for 6!
Hey Nick! That’s the way to show proper respect to the Bubble’s power! LOL! Where in WDW are you staying in December?