When Travel Opposites Attract

She craved exotic adventures. He loved Disney theme parks. Was finding common ground even possible?

- Doree Shafrir

Until my second date with Matt, the man who later became my husband, I hadn’t been to a Disney theme park since I was 10. “Surprise me,” I’d told him after he asked where I wanted to go. When he told me he’d chosen Disneyland, I felt flattered that he’d so thoughtfully planned ahead—most LA guys can’t manage more than taking you to a new bar. It felt fun and romantic—if, to me at least, a tad ironic. We took selfies in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle, he let me steer the Dumbo ride, I had my first Dole Whip.

I figured it was a one-time thing. But it turned out that Matt had a season pass. He loved Disneyland. Disney World in Orlando was his favourite place to go on vacation. He was also smart and funny and had a job in late-night television. For me, the combination did not compute.

As our relationship progressed, I struggled to comprehend Matt’s love of theme parks. I had always seen them as ersatz, overly commercial environments of manufactured fun. To him, they are the happiest places on earth. What did it mean that the man I loved felt this way? And what did it say about me that I didn’t? Was I a snob? After all, Disneyland is one of the most diverse places I’ve ever visited. There are people in wheelchairs, teenagers on dates, hot dads. Everyone always seems to be having a great time. What was my problem, exactly?