Why do people hate Disney?

[Anonymous]

Like anywhere else, you can pay your money, show up, and do stuff. But you have to choose to have fun. A lot of people's problems is that no matter where they go, they take themself with them, and that person is a stressed out over-expecting parent or child who will end up overstimulated and fun will transition to sadness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Like anywhere else, you can pay your money, show up, and do stuff. But you have to choose to have fun. A lot of people's problems is that no matter where they go, they take themself with them, and that person is a stressed out over-expecting parent or child who will end up overstimulated and fun will transition to sadness.

This is so true! It’s all about attitude, no matter where you go.

My MIL drove me crazy when we took them to Europe because it was all about complaining. She actually ended up saying she had fun, but boy was she a complainer along the way!

[Anonymous]

I have 0 interest in taking my kids to Disney. At least not Orlando. We were planning a trip to SoCal for Disney and Legoland when the pandemic hit.

For me, it’s a timing issue. I have no desire to wait in lines and deal with little kids melting down. My kids would love the Star Wars stuff, so we will go when they are a bit older - like 6 and 8 - not 3 and 5. I also don’t understand going to Disney or any theme park with kids who still nap. My kids don’t do stroller naps, so paying a fortune to spend half my day in a hotel watching a kid sleep, sounds like a big waste of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 0 interest in taking my kids to Disney. At least not Orlando. We were planning a trip to SoCal for Disney and Legoland when the pandemic hit.

For me, it’s a timing issue. I have no desire to wait in lines and deal with little kids melting down. My kids would love the Star Wars stuff, so we will go when they are a bit older - like 6 and 8 - not 3 and 5. I also don’t understand going to Disney or any theme park with kids who still nap. My kids don’t do stroller naps, so paying a fortune to spend half my day in a hotel watching a kid sleep, sounds like a big waste of money.

Your kid will only melt down if you don’t plan it correctly.

We went to Disney last February with our daughter who still napped. We brought grandparents with us. The nap time was awesome because, while the grandparents stayed at the hotel resting (which they wanted to do anyway) and watching DD, DH and I got to go grab drinks somewhere or go on rides DD and the grandparents weren’t interested in, like Smuggler’s Run or Tower of Terror.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s ironic about the people talking about how it’s more cultured/high brow to go to Europe over Disney is that Disney literally has a resort not only in Europe, but in France — a place most people on this board would consider *much* too high-brow to enjoy something as pedestrian as Disney.

Also ironic how many Europeans trek across the pond to go to Disney World. Lots of Germans and Brits travel to Orlando.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s ironic about the people talking about how it’s more cultured/high brow to go to Europe over Disney is that Disney literally has a resort not only in Europe, but in France — a place most people on this board would consider *much* too high-brow to enjoy something as pedestrian as Disney.

Also ironic how many Europeans trek across the pond to go to Disney World. Lots of Germans and Brits travel to Orlando.

Yup! I’m in a Disney planning group on FB because they share great tips and I can’t tell you how many Brits are on there lamenting the travel restrictions. “We can’t wait to get back to our happy place at Disney World!”

[Anonymous]

Just go to King's Dominion on a weekday. No lines, much cheaper, and you save the plane rides for the real vacations. I've done that with my daughter for years, and she's never complained about not being taken to Disney.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just go to King's Dominion on a weekday. No lines, much cheaper, and you save the plane rides for the real vacations. I've done that with my daughter for years, and she's never complained about not being taken to Disney.

Well, why would she? She doesn’t know what she’s missing. King’s Dominion is great, but it’s not really comparable to Disney.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People just want to pretend like they're above the masses. Disney is awesome. We go once a year and DH and I do agree that it's our kids' (3 and 5) favorite trip of the year. It's just easy, fun, and there's something for all. We've traveled extensively too. DD talked about the fireworks at Disney for well over a year.

So true.

I’m not above the masses. I had a great time at Harry Potter World. Have had wonderful trips to OBX. Still hate Disney.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People just want to pretend like they're above the masses. Disney is awesome. We go once a year and DH and I do agree that it's our kids' (3 and 5) favorite trip of the year. It's just easy, fun, and there's something for all. We've traveled extensively too. DD talked about the fireworks at Disney for well over a year.

So true.

I’m not above the masses. I had a great time at Harry Potter World. Have had wonderful trips to OBX. Still hate Disney.

You hate Disney, but enjoyed Harry Potter world?

You’re confusing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 0 interest in taking my kids to Disney. At least not Orlando. We were planning a trip to SoCal for Disney and Legoland when the pandemic hit.

For me, it’s a timing issue. I have no desire to wait in lines and deal with little kids melting down. My kids would love the Star Wars stuff, so we will go when they are a bit older - like 6 and 8 - not 3 and 5. I also don’t understand going to Disney or any theme park with kids who still nap. My kids don’t do stroller naps, so paying a fortune to spend half my day in a hotel watching a kid sleep, sounds like a big waste of money.

How would Disneyland be different? Lines exist there, kids will need same amount of naps there, and Star Wars land is there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So overpriced! I can book an incredible trip to Europe or the Caribbean for the same price.

And I find going to the Caribbean—most of the islands anyway—immoral. You’re supporting labor exploitation.

Meanwhile, I love going to Disney, Europe, and Asia.

Has anyone done the Euro Disney in France? I am thinking when our kids our older we would rather go to the Euro Disney...because you can do the Disney stuff for two days and then you are in France and can also do the standard French trip too with kids.

Our thought was yeah even with flights and hotels to Paris it is likely the same as an overpriced week in Orlando and a much more cultural experience for everyone.

It’s very small, so it’s really a day trip. But sure — you can incorporate it into a larger trip.

A Disney day trip sounds lovely. Totally agree on Tivoli. Exactly how small is Disney in Paris? Smaller than the CA Disneyland? I haven't done a ton of research since my daughter is small, but assuming there are still fun rides and characters and the castle I anticipate it would be a good substitute to the one in FL. Or maybe I am secretly hoping my daughter and future kids won't ask to go to Orlando!

Honestly, if I lived in FL or CA we would probably take our kids for the day just like it were any other theme park. Growing up in Texas we would go to Six Flags for a day and while it was a typical hot, gross tourist experience we lived there so not getting to every ride etc was fine because we knew it was something we could do again another month without dropping cash on hotels etc.

If you’re interested in theme parks in Europe, you can’t go wrong with the one in Copenhagen (Tivoli Gardens). I went there during the winter because I was in Copenhagen for work, and it’s gorgeous.

[Anonymous]

I have not read all of the replies.

BUT, I wish a lot MORE people hated Disney (and Universal, etc.) We love it but its freaking crowded and I wish a lot more people stayed away. The demand also allows them to keep jacking up the prices.

STAY AWAY PEOPLE! ITS SOOOOO TERRIBLE! STAY AWAY.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Like anywhere else, you can pay your money, show up, and do stuff. But you have to choose to have fun. A lot of people's problems is that no matter where they go, they take themself with them, and that person is a stressed out over-expecting parent or child who will end up overstimulated and fun will transition to sadness.

This is spot on. I think people who dread Disney are the people who convince themselves they HAVE TO go, drag themselves there and then instead of going with the flow and doing some minimal mapping (I've resigned to the fact that you have to at least plan some rides if you want to not be in lines all day) they feel like they have to also experience the super, uber planned to the hilt "perfect Disney" experience and do every single thing on every blog. They can't possibly walk in 30-45 minutes after opening, even if that would actually make them happier. Its about managing expectations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So overpriced! I can book an incredible trip to Europe or the Caribbean for the same price.

And I find going to the Caribbean—most of the islands anyway—immoral. You’re supporting labor exploitation.

Meanwhile, I love going to Disney, Europe, and Asia.

Has anyone done the Euro Disney in France? I am thinking when our kids our older we would rather go to the Euro Disney...because you can do the Disney stuff for two days and then you are in France and can also do the standard French trip too with kids.

Our thought was yeah even with flights and hotels to Paris it is likely the same as an overpriced week in Orlando and a much more cultural experience for everyone.

It’s very small, so it’s really a day trip. But sure — you can incorporate it into a larger trip.

A Disney day trip sounds lovely. Totally agree on Tivoli. Exactly how small is Disney in Paris? Smaller than the CA Disneyland? I haven't done a ton of research since my daughter is small, but assuming there are still fun rides and characters and the castle I anticipate it would be a good substitute to the one in FL. Or maybe I am secretly hoping my daughter and future kids won't ask to go to Orlando!

Honestly, if I lived in FL or CA we would probably take our kids for the day just like it were any other theme park. Growing up in Texas we would go to Six Flags for a day and while it was a typical hot, gross tourist experience we lived there so not getting to every ride etc was fine because we knew it was something we could do again another month without dropping cash on hotels etc.

If you’re interested in theme parks in Europe, you can’t go wrong with the one in Copenhagen (Tivoli Gardens). I went there during the winter because I was in Copenhagen for work, and it’s gorgeous.

I haven’t been to Disneyland Paris, but from looking at the map, it looks like it’s about the size of Magic Kingdom. Then they have a very small 2nd park called Walt Disney Studios, that looks like a mini version of Hollywood Studios. I think if you went on a low crowd day, you could do it in one day. Two days max.