Do people leave Disney World disappointed?

[Anonymous]

With some of these people describing their trips, I feel like every vacation would be a problem for them. And "crap food" means that you really didn't make any effort, etc. It's just people who treated it like a day at Six Flags and then wondered why they paid so much.

I have my beefs with the trends at WDW, but to say that a 9 year old is too old to enjoy the rides, or that all of the food is mediocre or that it's "too hot" or that I could never use the pool (when every resort has more than one), etc., just means that you wanted to hate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went to Disney 20 years ago before kids. We had Park Hopper passes and reservations at one character meal and Victorian & Albert's. We pretty much just wandered around and had fun. Meanwhile my friend with kids had a travel agent with a packed written agenda, which sounded like torture to me.

Now it seems like the only way to go is even more complicated than the travel agent's agenda with various tricks and constraints. Can you go without a carefully curated plan? Have you been disappointed, whether with or without a detailed plan?

Yes, Disney World is awful. Long lines. Heat. Expensive. Kids don't remember anything. Melt downs after meltdowns. And I can't even imagine going there without kids. Why would I ever?

A little prudence when planning could have avoided most of this, but your kids don't remember anything? Maybe they blocked it out because you failed to plan for their needs.

Most Disney trips revolve around the kids, but oh ok let’s blame the parents again. They must not have created a magical enough experience to create a memory. I don’t remember much before 2nd or 3rd grade. Perhaps they don’t remember because they are kids??

It has to do with visiting during peak heat; marching kids around all day, without pool breaks, etc. And most people have memories before 2nd grade.

Just took an informal survey and about half do/half don’t have memories before 2nd grade of the group I’m in. You seriously just want to dig your heels in. You have no idea how hot it was or how long people were at parks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went to Disney 20 years ago before kids. We had Park Hopper passes and reservations at one character meal and Victorian & Albert's. We pretty much just wandered around and had fun. Meanwhile my friend with kids had a travel agent with a packed written agenda, which sounded like torture to me.

Now it seems like the only way to go is even more complicated than the travel agent's agenda with various tricks and constraints. Can you go without a carefully curated plan? Have you been disappointed, whether with or without a detailed plan?

Yes, Disney World is awful. Long lines. Heat. Expensive. Kids don't remember anything. Melt downs after meltdowns. And I can't even imagine going there without kids. Why would I ever?

A little prudence when planning could have avoided most of this, but your kids don't remember anything? Maybe they blocked it out because you failed to plan for their needs.

Most Disney trips revolve around the kids, but oh ok let’s blame the parents again. They must not have created a magical enough experience to create a memory. I don’t remember much before 2nd or 3rd grade. Perhaps they don’t remember because they are kids??

It has to do with visiting during peak heat; marching kids around all day, without pool breaks, etc. And most people have memories before 2nd grade.

Just took an informal survey and about half do/half don’t have memories before 2nd grade of the group I’m in. You seriously just want to dig your heels in. You have no idea how hot it was or how long people were at parks.

What? People have no memories before 2nd grade? They don’t remember kindergarten or the first day of school? I have memories from preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like every vacation can be disappointed if that’s the mind set. My last two vacations we had a tour I was looking forward to the most of the whole trip cancelled due to weather. I was disappointed! But tried not to let it ruin vacation. Probably my most disappointing vacation was when we went to Ireland and foot and mouth broke out so they closed all the national historical/cultural sites anc all the national parks! But we could still drive around and look at sheep. And drink beer. I still hope to go back and see the archeological sites.

This is OP. I had a tour cancelled on my last vacation also, and it was disappointing, but I am mostly okay with that because I didn't cause it and couldn't have predicted it, so we pivoted to something else that was also fun.

I think the thing that's bothering me about Disney is it seems like you theoretically can control it all, but then controlling it all is all on me. I don't want that pressure and stress. I travel for freedom from having to be so scheduled all the time and Disney seems like setting myself up for failure.

I know I could create a packed minute-by-minute itinerary for Chicago, for instance, but I never would because I'd be in a bad mood all the time. Maybe "in a bad mood" and "stressed" are what I really mean by disappointed.

I posted above about winging it when we'd be in Orlando to see family. Schedule things up to a point, and then just be comfortable going with the flow. My kids were just as happy at the hotel pool as they were in the parks, especially when it was hot out.

Mine too. I left feeling like why am I dragging myself around in the heat to wait in lines and spending $1K a day?

My favorite memory from Disney is when we didn't do the parks and went resort hopping to see the Christmas trees and the huge gingerbread house from Disney Springs using the free bus and my kids loved the free cable car rides and we got to see fireworks from the hotel where the gingerbread house was. We spent the day between wandering around Disney Springs and resort hopping to see all the fancy resorts, had ice cream in one. Disney Springs was magical during the Holidays.

I will tell you that it was horrific yesterday. My teenager was like, Mom I don't think I've seen so many people. And he visits Tysons often.

[Anonymous]

To be constructive: double the prices to get in, cut the max crowd by 25-40%. Surge pricing on tickets?

Modernize - mobile ordering didn't work half the time, make it easier to order just drinks. (We learned years ago that if you didn't have a reservation you can't eat at the park.)

Prioritize the big spenders. If I'm paying for on property lodging and 2x fancy meals a day (aka dropping 2K+ per day) then it shouldn't be impossible to book LLs.

Have cool down stations in lines and park areas. I've been been many times of the year and it's always hot. Hot = irritated people and kids. There were zero fans / water or cool down areas in the park.

Allow strollers in line for the no height restriction rides until the end like the Safari ride.

Better rider switch like universal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To be constructive: double the prices to get in, cut the max crowd by 25-40%. Surge pricing on tickets?

Modernize - mobile ordering didn't work half the time, make it easier to order just drinks. (We learned years ago that if you didn't have a reservation you can't eat at the park.)

Prioritize the big spenders. If I'm paying for on property lodging and 2x fancy meals a day (aka dropping 2K+ per day) then it shouldn't be impossible to book LLs.

Have cool down stations in lines and park areas. I've been been many times of the year and it's always hot. Hot = irritated people and kids. There were zero fans / water or cool down areas in the park.

Allow strollers in line for the no height restriction rides until the end like the Safari ride.

Better rider switch like universal.

Stop wasting so much money on food and just buy the premier pass. One lightning lane per ride, go when you want. It's great.

[Anonymous]

It was basically exactly what I thought it'd be, except there was a swarm of flying bugs going on that season that I found annoying and unexpected. I was pleasantly surprised with how clean the bathrooms were.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be constructive: double the prices to get in, cut the max crowd by 25-40%. Surge pricing on tickets?

Modernize - mobile ordering didn't work half the time, make it easier to order just drinks. (We learned years ago that if you didn't have a reservation you can't eat at the park.)

Prioritize the big spenders. If I'm paying for on property lodging and 2x fancy meals a day (aka dropping 2K+ per day) then it shouldn't be impossible to book LLs.

Have cool down stations in lines and park areas. I've been been many times of the year and it's always hot. Hot = irritated people and kids. There were zero fans / water or cool down areas in the park.

Allow strollers in line for the no height restriction rides until the end like the Safari ride.

Better rider switch like universal.

Stop wasting so much money on food and just buy the premier pass. One lightning lane per ride, go when you want. It's great.

You can't buy it. It's sold out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To be constructive: double the prices to get in, cut the max crowd by 25-40%. Surge pricing on tickets?

Modernize - mobile ordering didn't work half the time, make it easier to order just drinks. (We learned years ago that if you didn't have a reservation you can't eat at the park.)

Prioritize the big spenders. If I'm paying for on property lodging and 2x fancy meals a day (aka dropping 2K+ per day) then it shouldn't be impossible to book LLs.

Have cool down stations in lines and park areas. I've been been many times of the year and it's always hot. Hot = irritated people and kids. There were zero fans / water or cool down areas in the park.

Allow strollers in line for the no height restriction rides until the end like the Safari ride.

Better rider switch like universal.

Maybe take a more relaxing vacation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like every vacation can be disappointed if that’s the mind set. My last two vacations we had a tour I was looking forward to the most of the whole trip cancelled due to weather. I was disappointed! But tried not to let it ruin vacation. Probably my most disappointing vacation was when we went to Ireland and foot and mouth broke out so they closed all the national historical/cultural sites anc all the national parks! But we could still drive around and look at sheep. And drink beer. I still hope to go back and see the archeological sites.

This is OP. I had a tour cancelled on my last vacation also, and it was disappointing, but I am mostly okay with that because I didn't cause it and couldn't have predicted it, so we pivoted to something else that was also fun.

I think the thing that's bothering me about Disney is it seems like you theoretically can control it all, but then controlling it all is all on me. I don't want that pressure and stress. I travel for freedom from having to be so scheduled all the time and Disney seems like setting myself up for failure.

I know I could create a packed minute-by-minute itinerary for Chicago, for instance, but I never would because I'd be in a bad mood all the time. Maybe "in a bad mood" and "stressed" are what I really mean by disappointed.

I posted above about winging it when we'd be in Orlando to see family. Schedule things up to a point, and then just be comfortable going with the flow. My kids were just as happy at the hotel pool as they were in the parks, especially when it was hot out.

Mine too. I left feeling like why am I dragging myself around in the heat to wait in lines and spending $1K a day?

My favorite memory from Disney is when we didn't do the parks and went resort hopping to see the Christmas trees and the huge gingerbread house from Disney Springs using the free bus and my kids loved the free cable car rides and we got to see fireworks from the hotel where the gingerbread house was. We spent the day between wandering around Disney Springs and resort hopping to see all the fancy resorts, had ice cream in one. Disney Springs was magical during the Holidays.

I will tell you that it was horrific yesterday. My teenager was like, Mom I don't think I've seen so many people. And he visits Tysons often.

Terrible week to go. Don’t go Christmas, New Years or President’s week either. Some of the busiest weeks of the entire year. No clue why people go this week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be constructive: double the prices to get in, cut the max crowd by 25-40%. Surge pricing on tickets?

Modernize - mobile ordering didn't work half the time, make it easier to order just drinks. (We learned years ago that if you didn't have a reservation you can't eat at the park.)

Prioritize the big spenders. If I'm paying for on property lodging and 2x fancy meals a day (aka dropping 2K+ per day) then it shouldn't be impossible to book LLs.

Have cool down stations in lines and park areas. I've been been many times of the year and it's always hot. Hot = irritated people and kids. There were zero fans / water or cool down areas in the park.

Allow strollers in line for the no height restriction rides until the end like the Safari ride.

Better rider switch like universal.

Stop wasting so much money on food and just buy the premier pass. One lightning lane per ride, go when you want. It's great.

You can't buy it. It's sold out

You missed your chance then, buy it 7 days out when they first become available to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like every vacation can be disappointed if that’s the mind set. My last two vacations we had a tour I was looking forward to the most of the whole trip cancelled due to weather. I was disappointed! But tried not to let it ruin vacation. Probably my most disappointing vacation was when we went to Ireland and foot and mouth broke out so they closed all the national historical/cultural sites anc all the national parks! But we could still drive around and look at sheep. And drink beer. I still hope to go back and see the archeological sites.

This is OP. I had a tour cancelled on my last vacation also, and it was disappointing, but I am mostly okay with that because I didn't cause it and couldn't have predicted it, so we pivoted to something else that was also fun.

I think the thing that's bothering me about Disney is it seems like you theoretically can control it all, but then controlling it all is all on me. I don't want that pressure and stress. I travel for freedom from having to be so scheduled all the time and Disney seems like setting myself up for failure.

I know I could create a packed minute-by-minute itinerary for Chicago, for instance, but I never would because I'd be in a bad mood all the time. Maybe "in a bad mood" and "stressed" are what I really mean by disappointed.

I posted above about winging it when we'd be in Orlando to see family. Schedule things up to a point, and then just be comfortable going with the flow. My kids were just as happy at the hotel pool as they were in the parks, especially when it was hot out.

Mine too. I left feeling like why am I dragging myself around in the heat to wait in lines and spending $1K a day?

My favorite memory from Disney is when we didn't do the parks and went resort hopping to see the Christmas trees and the huge gingerbread house from Disney Springs using the free bus and my kids loved the free cable car rides and we got to see fireworks from the hotel where the gingerbread house was. We spent the day between wandering around Disney Springs and resort hopping to see all the fancy resorts, had ice cream in one. Disney Springs was magical during the Holidays.

I will tell you that it was horrific yesterday. My teenager was like, Mom I don't think I've seen so many people. And he visits Tysons often.

Terrible week to go. Don’t go Christmas, New Years or President’s week either. Some of the busiest weeks of the entire year. No clue why people go this week.

Not PP, but it's hard to find time off between work and school to go so everyone converges on those high traffic weeks of the calendar.
We are trying to avoid crowds and have limited availability to go, so we are going to suffer through August heat this coming summer. We'll try to make the best of it and I'm sure the trip will be memorable one way or another.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be constructive: double the prices to get in, cut the max crowd by 25-40%. Surge pricing on tickets?

Modernize - mobile ordering didn't work half the time, make it easier to order just drinks. (We learned years ago that if you didn't have a reservation you can't eat at the park.)

Prioritize the big spenders. If I'm paying for on property lodging and 2x fancy meals a day (aka dropping 2K+ per day) then it shouldn't be impossible to book LLs.

Have cool down stations in lines and park areas. I've been been many times of the year and it's always hot. Hot = irritated people and kids. There were zero fans / water or cool down areas in the park.

Allow strollers in line for the no height restriction rides until the end like the Safari ride.

Better rider switch like universal.

Stop wasting so much money on food and just buy the premier pass. One lightning lane per ride, go when you want. It's great.

You can't buy it. It's sold out

You missed your chance then, buy it 7 days out when they first become available to you.

Now lecture us how easy the system is and we can't possibly be on our phone all day trying to figure it out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be constructive: double the prices to get in, cut the max crowd by 25-40%. Surge pricing on tickets?

Modernize - mobile ordering didn't work half the time, make it easier to order just drinks. (We learned years ago that if you didn't have a reservation you can't eat at the park.)

Prioritize the big spenders. If I'm paying for on property lodging and 2x fancy meals a day (aka dropping 2K+ per day) then it shouldn't be impossible to book LLs.

Have cool down stations in lines and park areas. I've been been many times of the year and it's always hot. Hot = irritated people and kids. There were zero fans / water or cool down areas in the park.

Allow strollers in line for the no height restriction rides until the end like the Safari ride.

Better rider switch like universal.

Stop wasting so much money on food and just buy the premier pass. One lightning lane per ride, go when you want. It's great.

You can't buy it. It's sold out

You missed your chance then, buy it 7 days out when they first become available to you.

Now lecture us how easy the system is and we can't possibly be on our phone all day trying to figure it out

If you know, you know. if it's so busy you can't get a LL then there's nothing to be on your phone for. They are all sold out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To be constructive: double the prices to get in, cut the max crowd by 25-40%. Surge pricing on tickets?

Modernize - mobile ordering didn't work half the time, make it easier to order just drinks. (We learned years ago that if you didn't have a reservation you can't eat at the park.)

Prioritize the big spenders. If I'm paying for on property lodging and 2x fancy meals a day (aka dropping 2K+ per day) then it shouldn't be impossible to book LLs.

Have cool down stations in lines and park areas. I've been been many times of the year and it's always hot. Hot = irritated people and kids. There were zero fans / water or cool down areas in the park.

Allow strollers in line for the no height restriction rides until the end like the Safari ride.

Better rider switch like universal.

Stop wasting so much money on food and just buy the premier pass. One lightning lane per ride, go when you want. It's great.

You can't buy it. It's sold out

You missed your chance then, buy it 7 days out when they first become available to you.

Now lecture us how easy the system is and we can't possibly be on our phone all day trying to figure it out

To be fair, that takes a couple of minutes a week before your vacation starts