Do people leave Disney World disappointed?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:What I have learned from 14 pages of this thread is that Disney people will defend Disney like there's no tomorrow and just can't understand that some people aren't as into it as they are.

If you’re not into it why would you go?

Please just stop. Obviously people come back from a vacation and can think "Oh that wasn't as fun as I hoped it would be". But you don't know that until after the vacation.

Please just stop what? Nobody has stopped anyone from complaining.

But you keep criticizing everyone who is saying they were disappointed in their trips. You need to let it go.

I don't keep doing anything. You can run along if you can't discuss something without getting bossy.

'

Says the lady who keeps telling everyone they did their trip wrong. If that's not you, I apologize for the mistaken identity, but if it is you, perhaps you're the boss one? Geez!

Like OP, I'm trying to decide if Disney World is worth it for my family or not. "It" being all the advanced planning and being attached to my phone 24/7 while on vacation.

You’re not really paying attention if that’s all you’re getting from the many people contributing here. You would be asking more questions and not policing this thread if you were genuinely interested.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I can see how if you are unfamiliar with the system and don't do some research, you will be disappointed when you get there.
I have never been, but we are going soon, and I am very much Type A so I familiarized myself with the parks, the hotels, the reservations system for dining and LLs, etc before I even booked the hotel. And I hired a Disney travel agent to talk through options, what she thought was best for our family, and to eventually book our stay.

Figuring out which parks to visit on which day, where we wanted to eat, if the dining plan is worth it, etc, etc was fun for me. (WDW Prep School is a great site!!) It took me a few hours to figure out while watching TV once the kids were down for the night - exactly the same amount of time it takes me to plan a week long trip overseas.

To me, this is not a trip where you just "wing it". If you do, I think you're setting yourself up for failure.

I'm a very type A person that had done absolutely all the advanced planning and still had a terrible experience. You can't plan around hotel rooms that are poorly maintained (including at their nicest level of on site hotels), buses and other transit that break down or aren't running, hoards of rolling ride closures, poor crowd control and insane lines for everything, or a Disney app that continually stops working so you have to keep going back to customer service to get it working again.

I totally would have had the patience to deal with hiccups here and there. But it really felt like every single thing we did was a giant hassle. From the beginning to the end of the trip. Our hotel room was a problem. Getting to the parks was a problem. Getting on a ride was a problem. Getting food was a problem. Getting out of the parks was a problem. Then we would get back to our hotel room and that would still be a problem and maintenance wouldn't have fixed things. So we decided to go to the pool to get out of the room while they came to do repairs and the pools would be closed because those had also been shut down.

I know this can sound like it's a me problem, but we don't have this on other vacations. We've traveled all over the world and have done vacations in all sorts of places and never had these sorts of problem before.

I have super fun memories of Disney as a kid, but was super disappointed about my experience more recently. It just wasn't fun. My sense was that Disney knows that people will come and pay anything so they've stopped investing in maintenance, quality or customer service.

It sounds like you got really, really unlucky your trip. I would message Disney. Any one of these things would be annoying, but the sheer amount in one go is just unacceptable. They probably won’t give you anything but this sort of info is good for them to know.

I think you just need to let it go, PP. Not everyone is going to like Disney as much as you do. Not everyone is going to have the same experiences as you. And it's okay for people to answer the OP's question and share their negative experiences. Just because someone had a bad experience doesn't make them a Disney hater, it just means they are sharing their bad experience. Nobody is asking you to come on and critique their every move and tell them how they're wrong and they should have done x, y, z instead. LET. IT. GO.

Did you miss the part where I said what they experienced was unacceptable? Disney isn’t trolling DCUM looking for guest feedback. If you’re not satisfied (and honestly, what they described was bad), put on your big girl pants and send a note!

Is there something wrong with you? I'm not the person that had a bad experience. I've never been to Disney. Like OP, I am wondering if it's worth it or not. I said that earlier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I have learned from 14 pages of this thread is that Disney people will defend Disney like there's no tomorrow and just can't understand that some people aren't as into it as they are.

If you’re not into it why would you go?

Please just stop. Obviously people come back from a vacation and can think "Oh that wasn't as fun as I hoped it would be". But you don't know that until after the vacation.

Please just stop what? Nobody has stopped anyone from complaining.

But you keep criticizing everyone who is saying they were disappointed in their trips. You need to let it go.

I don't keep doing anything. You can run along if you can't discuss something without getting bossy.

'

Says the lady who keeps telling everyone they did their trip wrong. If that's not you, I apologize for the mistaken identity, but if it is you, perhaps you're the boss one? Geez!

Like OP, I'm trying to decide if Disney World is worth it for my family or not. "It" being all the advanced planning and being attached to my phone 24/7 while on vacation.

You’re not really paying attention if that’s all you’re getting from the many people contributing here. You would be asking more questions and not policing this thread if you were genuinely interested.

I can tell exactly what type of person you are. You are insufferable!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I have learned from 14 pages of this thread is that Disney people will defend Disney like there's no tomorrow and just can't understand that some people aren't as into it as they are.

If you’re not into it why would you go?

Please just stop. Obviously people come back from a vacation and can think "Oh that wasn't as fun as I hoped it would be". But you don't know that until after the vacation.

Please just stop what? Nobody has stopped anyone from complaining.

But you keep criticizing everyone who is saying they were disappointed in their trips. You need to let it go.

I don't keep doing anything. You can run along if you can't discuss something without getting bossy.

'

Says the lady who keeps telling everyone they did their trip wrong. If that's not you, I apologize for the mistaken identity, but if it is you, perhaps you're the boss one? Geez!

Like OP, I'm trying to decide if Disney World is worth it for my family or not. "It" being all the advanced planning and being attached to my phone 24/7 while on vacation.

You’re not really paying attention if that’s all you’re getting from the many people contributing here. You would be asking more questions and not policing this thread if you were genuinely interested.

I can tell exactly what type of person you are. You are insufferable!

You’re arguing with multiple people. Just don’t go to Disney. Let it go, Elsa.

[Anonymous]

I think people underestimate the amount of planning and spending they do for other types of trips, making Disney seem more daunting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think people underestimate the amount of planning and spending they do for other types of trips, making Disney seem more daunting.

Or rather they don't think it's fair that you can't just show up like they did that one time in 1992. Things have changed and they more readily accept the idea that any other type of trip needs planning but Disney shouldn't. So they dig their heels in and then complain bitterly when it doesn't work out. People say things like they are never ever going to pay for Lightning Lanes because 6 years ago they were free so they are standing on principle. Then they complain about standing in line all day. Some people just can't be pleased.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people underestimate the amount of planning and spending they do for other types of trips, making Disney seem more daunting.

Or rather they don't think it's fair that you can't just show up like they did that one time in 1992. Things have changed and they more readily accept the idea that any other type of trip needs planning but Disney shouldn't. So they dig their heels in and then complain bitterly when it doesn't work out. People say things like they are never ever going to pay for Lightning Lanes because 6 years ago they were free so they are standing on principle. Then they complain about standing in line all day. Some people just can't be pleased.

I understand the frustration, ever since Covid so many things require time tickets and it didn’t used to be that way, and it does make travel more complicated. I hate having to schedule every museum trip etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people underestimate the amount of planning and spending they do for other types of trips, making Disney seem more daunting.

Or rather they don't think it's fair that you can't just show up like they did that one time in 1992. Things have changed and they more readily accept the idea that any other type of trip needs planning but Disney shouldn't. So they dig their heels in and then complain bitterly when it doesn't work out. People say things like they are never ever going to pay for Lightning Lanes because 6 years ago they were free so they are standing on principle. Then they complain about standing in line all day. Some people just can't be pleased.

This really feels like a lot of gaslighting. I think you're the same person who said that you're only aware of a ride being down once. That's total B******. Rides are down all the time. Including often at rope drop, which is when all the blogs tell you to get there to beat the lines. And then when rides go down your LL becomes an anytime LL so people flock to the other lines and then those LL lines become super long and crowded. It all snowballs. Mobile ordering can absolutely be a complete cluster and glitchy. Disney Transit can absolutely be a complete cluster and it often is with long waits and stuffed buses/trains. Hotel rooms are often poorly maintained. Crowd control is often a big problem with giant crowds of people pushing when something goes wrong. For those who love Disney, I'm sure they can overlook all this stuff. But for travelers who are haven't drunk the Kool aid, it's not fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people underestimate the amount of planning and spending they do for other types of trips, making Disney seem more daunting.

Or rather they don't think it's fair that you can't just show up like they did that one time in 1992. Things have changed and they more readily accept the idea that any other type of trip needs planning but Disney shouldn't. So they dig their heels in and then complain bitterly when it doesn't work out. People say things like they are never ever going to pay for Lightning Lanes because 6 years ago they were free so they are standing on principle. Then they complain about standing in line all day. Some people just can't be pleased.

I think you're also ignoring how frustrating it can be to use LL. You have so little control over the times you actually get that you end up with total nonsensical schedules with you running all over the park. It's totally possible to end up with back to back times at Haunted Mansion, then a Star Wars ride, then back to RnR coaster, and then to Olga's cantina. So you're running back and forth across the park, including having to dodge a parade in there. Absolutely miserable for kids and non-Disney adults.

Folks who practically live at Disney would just skip something, but for those who are trying to make the most of the parks, it's a giant pain in the tush.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people underestimate the amount of planning and spending they do for other types of trips, making Disney seem more daunting.

Or rather they don't think it's fair that you can't just show up like they did that one time in 1992. Things have changed and they more readily accept the idea that any other type of trip needs planning but Disney shouldn't. So they dig their heels in and then complain bitterly when it doesn't work out. People say things like they are never ever going to pay for Lightning Lanes because 6 years ago they were free so they are standing on principle. Then they complain about standing in line all day. Some people just can't be pleased.

I think you're also ignoring how frustrating it can be to use LL. You have so little control over the times you actually get that you end up with total nonsensical schedules with you running all over the park. It's totally possible to end up with back to back times at Haunted Mansion, then a Star Wars ride, then back to RnR coaster, and then to Olga's cantina. So you're running back and forth across the park, including having to dodge a parade in there. Absolutely miserable for kids and non-Disney adults.

Folks who practically live at Disney would just skip something, but for those who are trying to make the most of the parks, it's a giant pain in the tush.

And these are exactly the people who should not go at spring break, winter break, presidents week, or fall break. If you are only going once and lack of LL and mobile ordering is going to ruin your trip, you need to pull your kids and go a less busy week. Costs are lower for everything and LL is much more plentiful. If you ignore all the advice on this and go during spring break, then no you aren’t going to have an easy time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people underestimate the amount of planning and spending they do for other types of trips, making Disney seem more daunting.

Or rather they don't think it's fair that you can't just show up like they did that one time in 1992. Things have changed and they more readily accept the idea that any other type of trip needs planning but Disney shouldn't. So they dig their heels in and then complain bitterly when it doesn't work out. People say things like they are never ever going to pay for Lightning Lanes because 6 years ago they were free so they are standing on principle. Then they complain about standing in line all day. Some people just can't be pleased.

I think you're also ignoring how frustrating it can be to use LL. You have so little control over the times you actually get that you end up with total nonsensical schedules with you running all over the park. It's totally possible to end up with back to back times at Haunted Mansion, then a Star Wars ride, then back to RnR coaster, and then to Olga's cantina. So you're running back and forth across the park, including having to dodge a parade in there. Absolutely miserable for kids and non-Disney adults.

Folks who practically live at Disney would just skip something, but for those who are trying to make the most of the parks, it's a giant pain in the tush.

Just bring good walking shoes. It's a lot but if you want to ride certain things and hate lines, you may have to walk from here to there. But you are also naming rides that aren't even in the same parks, are you park hopping? Definitely don't do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people underestimate the amount of planning and spending they do for other types of trips, making Disney seem more daunting.

Or rather they don't think it's fair that you can't just show up like they did that one time in 1992. Things have changed and they more readily accept the idea that any other type of trip needs planning but Disney shouldn't. So they dig their heels in and then complain bitterly when it doesn't work out. People say things like they are never ever going to pay for Lightning Lanes because 6 years ago they were free so they are standing on principle. Then they complain about standing in line all day. Some people just can't be pleased.

I think you're also ignoring how frustrating it can be to use LL. You have so little control over the times you actually get that you end up with total nonsensical schedules with you running all over the park. It's totally possible to end up with back to back times at Haunted Mansion, then a Star Wars ride, then back to RnR coaster, and then to Olga's cantina. So you're running back and forth across the park, including having to dodge a parade in there. Absolutely miserable for kids and non-Disney adults.

Folks who practically live at Disney would just skip something, but for those who are trying to make the most of the parks, it's a giant pain in the tush.

And these are exactly the people who should not go at spring break, winter break, presidents week, or fall break. If you are only going once and lack of LL and mobile ordering is going to ruin your trip, you need to pull your kids and go a less busy week. Costs are lower for everything and LL is much more plentiful. If you ignore all the advice on this and go during spring break, then no you aren’t going to have an easy time.

this really is the way we’ve done Universal and Disney World adding an extra day to the grade prep three day weekend in January. We’ve probably been able to get more done in three days than we would have with a week at spring break or another high time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people underestimate the amount of planning and spending they do for other types of trips, making Disney seem more daunting.

Or rather they don't think it's fair that you can't just show up like they did that one time in 1992. Things have changed and they more readily accept the idea that any other type of trip needs planning but Disney shouldn't. So they dig their heels in and then complain bitterly when it doesn't work out. People say things like they are never ever going to pay for Lightning Lanes because 6 years ago they were free so they are standing on principle. Then they complain about standing in line all day. Some people just can't be pleased.

I think you're also ignoring how frustrating it can be to use LL. You have so little control over the times you actually get that you end up with total nonsensical schedules with you running all over the park. It's totally possible to end up with back to back times at Haunted Mansion, then a Star Wars ride, then back to RnR coaster, and then to Olga's cantina. So you're running back and forth across the park, including having to dodge a parade in there. Absolutely miserable for kids and non-Disney adults.

Folks who practically live at Disney would just skip something, but for those who are trying to make the most of the parks, it's a giant pain in the tush.

Just bring good walking shoes. It's a lot but if you want to ride certain things and hate lines, you may have to walk from here to there. But you are also naming rides that aren't even in the same parks, are you park hopping? Definitely don't do that.

Not Haunted Mansion, Tower of Terror. Just a drafting mistake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people underestimate the amount of planning and spending they do for other types of trips, making Disney seem more daunting.

Or rather they don't think it's fair that you can't just show up like they did that one time in 1992. Things have changed and they more readily accept the idea that any other type of trip needs planning but Disney shouldn't. So they dig their heels in and then complain bitterly when it doesn't work out. People say things like they are never ever going to pay for Lightning Lanes because 6 years ago they were free so they are standing on principle. Then they complain about standing in line all day. Some people just can't be pleased.

I think you're also ignoring how frustrating it can be to use LL. You have so little control over the times you actually get that you end up with total nonsensical schedules with you running all over the park. It's totally possible to end up with back to back times at Haunted Mansion, then a Star Wars ride, then back to RnR coaster, and then to Olga's cantina. So you're running back and forth across the park, including having to dodge a parade in there. Absolutely miserable for kids and non-Disney adults.

Folks who practically live at Disney would just skip something, but for those who are trying to make the most of the parks, it's a giant pain in the tush.

Just bring good walking shoes. It's a lot but if you want to ride certain things and hate lines, you may have to walk from here to there. But you are also naming rides that aren't even in the same parks, are you park hopping? Definitely don't do that.

People who hate lines also often hate crowds. And navigating between rides, even in low season, involves navigating massive crowds as you dash across the park to try to make a time slot. Add a parade or show en route and it's even worse. It sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people underestimate the amount of planning and spending they do for other types of trips, making Disney seem more daunting.

Or rather they don't think it's fair that you can't just show up like they did that one time in 1992. Things have changed and they more readily accept the idea that any other type of trip needs planning but Disney shouldn't. So they dig their heels in and then complain bitterly when it doesn't work out. People say things like they are never ever going to pay for Lightning Lanes because 6 years ago they were free so they are standing on principle. Then they complain about standing in line all day. Some people just can't be pleased.

I think you're also ignoring how frustrating it can be to use LL. You have so little control over the times you actually get that you end up with total nonsensical schedules with you running all over the park. It's totally possible to end up with back to back times at Haunted Mansion, then a Star Wars ride, then back to RnR coaster, and then to Olga's cantina. So you're running back and forth across the park, including having to dodge a parade in there. Absolutely miserable for kids and non-Disney adults.

Folks who practically live at Disney would just skip something, but for those who are trying to make the most of the parks, it's a giant pain in the tush.

And these are exactly the people who should not go at spring break, winter break, presidents week, or fall break. If you are only going once and lack of LL and mobile ordering is going to ruin your trip, you need to pull your kids and go a less busy week. Costs are lower for everything and LL is much more plentiful. If you ignore all the advice on this and go during spring break, then no you aren’t going to have an easy time.

We went off season and this was still a major problem. It's not just an issue with the holidays and major break weeks.

My understanding is that Disney uses lower staffing during lower crowd periods and so there actually aren't that many more LL and lines can be longer because they aren't running rides at full capacity.