Am I A Mousejunkie?

Am I a Mousejunkie? I think the answer might be yes.



I’m reading Mousejunkies! Tips, Tales, and Tricks for a Disney World Fix by Bill Burke. And, I am definitely in need of a “fix” as am significantly stuck between the last trip and the next trip being just over the horizon.



A friend, who is also a Mousejunkie, told me about the book. I looked it up on Amazon.com and read a few pages. I was laughing out loud. People nearby thought something had happened, but it’s not unusual to laugh at a screen of any kind now a days. I then phoned our local bookseller and ordered the book. It arrived on Friday. When I brought it home, the husband looked at the book and me, and said that I finish it by Sunday. Well, he’s not quite correct, as it is Sunday and I’m not done reading it yet.



In the Glossary, there is a definition of a Mousejunkie: “People who are obsessed with all things Walt Disney World—can sometimes seem to have their own language. Acronyms, nicknames, and shortened versions of longer titles pepper their conversations. Venture onto any Disney-related online community and you’ll be overwhelmed by Mousejunkie-speak.” The Glossary goes on to provide those definitions for the shortened versions of common Disney words. The husband gave me a quiz while I was putting away the dinner dishes Friday evening. He said I passed with flying colors. Not everyone knows that HDDMR is a shortened version for Hoop Dee Do Musical Review. It’s Disney text speak!



Another part of the book that got me was how Bill Burke slowly discovered many of his friends, coworkers, and acquaintances had been hiding their own Disney secret obsessions. He describes playing poker one evening as his friends, when the CD shuffle hit the soundtrack for Wishes—the nightly fireworks display in the Magic Kingdom; how he spied another person sporting a subtle Mickey Mouse on their watch.



“Spend more than five minutes talking to me and I’ll figure out a way to insert Mickey Mouse into the conversation. It can be annoying, but I have no qualms about the fact that I am a hard-core Walt Disney World fanatic, and I know how to do it right.” That’s Bill Burke’s words, people, not mine. Even though those words could be used to describe me, too.



So, am I a Mousejunkie? Yes, I am. And, therefore, my family is too. And, while as a mother of an 8 year old I never thought I would be using the word “junkie” is describing me, him, or our family, I believe in this instance, it is accurate. For us, Disney is a family obsession.



The boy asked if I had found any new videos on-line showing the new ship, the Disney Dream, and all it has to offer. The husband regularly checks the pin availability on-line. He was searching for Disney Dream pins just shortly after the Maiden voyage. Yep, they were available, but pricey.



We have Disney soundtracks in the cars as well as in the house. Most meals are consumed using our silverware with the silhouette of Mickey Mouse gracing the handles. I already have plans for Disney salt and pepper shakers purchase for our next trip, only to be given quality descriptors by the husband. Decorative: yes. Utility: only if it meets these criteria. (I didn’t know he had specific criteria for the salt and pepper shakers.)



We have a tendency to congregate with other Mousejunkies at functions. We were at a wedding a while ago and found another couple who are also self-confessed Mousejunkies. We began showing all of the Disney items we were wearing at the time. A shirt, a tie, watches, earrings, gloves, and a purse were among the items being displayed between the 4 of us. Yep, Mousejunkies.



In reading the book, I have discovered that some Mousejunkies have it much worse than we do. They make even more frequent trips to get their mouse fix than we could even imagine. So, while we may annoy our friends and co-workers with our Disney tales and anticipation, there are other Mousejunkies that would consider us novices.



So, while I wait the 150 plus days for our next Disney vacation, I am going to get my “fix” by finishing the book. And, I might just finish reading it today!