When we lived in Orange County, I would swear that we went because we loved Disney. The reason we moved to Orlando is because we wanted to be near a Disney park, but could afford a better life here in Florida.
But, my feeling visiting the parks here hasn't been the same intensity, somehow. Everything is here, it's still Disney, but I don't have the same gut emotion that "this is my place, I belong here" that I used to feel walking around in
Disneyland.
Maybe, in part, because I grew up going to Disneyland. It is associated with my family and friends. My first real date was in Disneyland. I probably spent more happy times with my cousins there than anyplace else. So many happy memories. And when I wander around that park, I'm experiencing not just the present, but the past overlayed on top of it. Every time I ride the Jungle Cruise, I'm not just hearing the same corny jokes for the 20th time, I'm also remembering my first snuggle with my first crush, in a chilly autumn night so many years ago. When the Tropical Hideaway opened, it became my new, favorite place to just hang out and enjoy the ambience...
Was my love of Disneyland because of Disneyland, or because of the idea and memories of Disneyland? Probably as much, if the not more, the latter. Disney world will never have those childhood memories. Magic Kingdom comes the closest to Disneyland and, in some ways, the layout, food and drink, rides and attractions are objectively "better". But, do I feel as compelled to keep returning? Not really. Not yet, anyway.
Does this mean I was used to going to Disneyland out of habit or addiction? Kind of, in the sense that much of the happiness it brought me wasn't due to the objective experience (which was often overcrowded and unpleasant), but my (idealized and romanticized) memories of past visits. When presented with a real, present day Disney experience, without the benefit of past memories augmenting the magic, it just isn't as compelling...