Anonymous wrote:Simmer down, 20:45. Sounds like you are taking this personally.

Have you read the entire thread? People aren't simply saying they don't like disney because of the crowds or heat...which would be legit criticism. Instead, people are saying they hate disney for a variety of reasons with a similar theme: they prefer to avoid the commercialism and artificial experience and instead travel to more upscale places where they can have a more intellectually stimulating and authentic experience. If that's not snobbery, I'm not sure what else it could be.

I get that disney isn't at the top of most adults' list of vacation destinations. And that's fine with me. But there's a pretty big dcum contingent that is rabidly anti-disney...and I think it's bizarre. Candidly, I think it's actually quite rude when folks go out of their way to raise the topic so they can emphatically voice their anti-disney philosophy. Whenever disney comes up (most recently when we were chatting about our recent trip with a group of friends), someone always feels compelled to prattle on about how they prefer more authentic vacations (whatever that means) so that's why they've never done disney. Um, ok. But do you realize his rude it is to say something like that to friends chatting about their recent disney trip? And more specifically, do you realize that everyone thinks you're a tool for saying that to us?

No, I won't "simmer down," but thanks, Mom. And re-read your bolded paragraph. You're the snob, and you're the one personalizing this (I didn't bring up having my feelings stung IRL, that was you. I didn't say anything about your vacation.). Disney is artificial. It is false. Its whole universe is curated, and it is commercialism at its drecky best. We live in a world that is increasingly run by for-profit corporations. I find it bizarre that people pay thousands of dollars to further enrich a corporation, and then insist with that it's the happiest place on earth.

Candidly, while you pro-Disney people seem sensible on here, I've met your type IRL. And you guys don't seem curious or alert. I'd have more respect for a family who took a trip to Amish country. Or the Badlands. Or a state park. Literally anywhere other than made-for-the-masses Disney.

Re:Why do people look down at Disney?

Maybe, because they have never been there?
They are afraid to do something just for fun?

Because it's all advertising. "Happiest place on earth" is marketing. You are celebrating movie characters. It's basically like taking a vacation at McDonalds World.

Took our kids to Disney on winter weekends twice. Kids are grown now--but those are wonderful memories. Happy memories. Hard to go to Europe on a four day weekend.

Simmer down, 20:45. Sounds like you are taking this personally.

Have you read the entire thread? People aren't simply saying they don't like disney because of the crowds or heat...which would be legit criticism. Instead, people are saying they hate disney for a variety of reasons with a similar theme: they prefer to avoid the commercialism and artificial experience and instead travel to more upscale places where they can have a more intellectually stimulating and authentic experience. If that's not snobbery, I'm not sure what else it could be.

I get that disney isn't at the top of most adults' list of vacation destinations. And that's fine with me. But there's a pretty big dcum contingent that is rabidly anti-disney...and I think it's bizarre. Candidly, I think it's actually quite rude when folks go out of their way to raise the topic so they can emphatically voice their anti-disney philosophy. Whenever disney comes up (most recently when we were chatting about our recent trip with a group of friends), someone always feels compelled to prattle on about how they prefer more authentic vacations (whatever that means) so that's why they've never done disney. Um, ok. But do you realize his rude it is to say something like that to friends chatting about their recent disney trip? And more specifically, do you realize that everyone thinks you're a tool for saying that to us?

I just booked a Disney World vacation for spring break. We've never been so we're going all out, 10k for a week's stay for two adults and one kid including a direct flight out of Reagan.

Not sure why anyone would look down on Disney. It's not cheap.

Anonymous wrote:What everyone else has said.

And because Disney disgusts me for this reason and others: http://boingboing.net/2010/05/24/what-disney-princess.html

You are way too easily disgusted. I'm going to venture that righteous indignation is a common emotion for you.

Anonymous wrote:Because it's all advertising. "Happiest place on earth" is marketing. You are celebrating movie characters. It's basically like taking a vacation at McDonalds World.

The fuck is this supposed to mean? Is there something wrong with McDonald's?

Anonymous wrote:

Ah, yes, the DC Disney snobs. Luckily, Disney doesn't need DC, because their parks are more and more popular -- and packed -- every year.

I've been going to Disney almost annually for 40 plus years (I grew up in Florida). My family goes for about $3,500 for a week. We have a Disney timeshare, we invite all our Florida friends, we ride rides and swim and eat and drink and dance and play mini-golf and we enjoy seeing our child having the time of his life. He literally smiles from ear to ear the whole time we are there. Yes, he goes on all the other places we go -- but he loves Disney, even as a tween.

Tickets have gotten pricey, so we get an annual pass and use it for two or three big trips, then take a break, then buy the next pass, etc.

Europe is nice, but it's a lot of work. Hawaii's a hellacious flight, When our child is older we'll do some trips out West in addition to our Florida, New England and Midwest trips.

Thank you for demonstrating another irritating aspect of DISNEY people: you tend to take very personally the fact that some of us don't like Disney. Like really personally. We can't just dislike crowds or the corporate aspect of Disney or whatever. No, we're most definitely snobs. And not just snobs, but Inside the Beltway, ivory tower, divorced from reality snobs.

Someone's a snob, that's true.

Ah, yes, the DC Disney snobs. Luckily, Disney doesn't need DC, because their parks are more and more popular -- and packed -- every year.

I've been going to Disney almost annually for 40 plus years (I grew up in Florida). My family goes for about $3,500 for a week. We have a Disney timeshare, we invite all our Florida friends, we ride rides and swim and eat and drink and dance and play mini-golf and we enjoy seeing our child having the time of his life. He literally smiles from ear to ear the whole time we are there. Yes, he goes on all the other places we go -- but he loves Disney, even as a tween.

Tickets have gotten pricey, so we get an annual pass and use it for two or three big trips, then take a break, then buy the next pass, etc.

Europe is nice, but it's a lot of work. Hawaii's a hellacious flight, When our child is older we'll do some trips out West in addition to our Florida, New England and Midwest trips.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is that people who desperately want to be some blend of hip, intellectual (they believe), urbane, educated, elite, sophisticated, etc. don't do disney because they say it isn't worth the money (as compared to Europe or whatever). I don't think those people actually travel much at all, when they do, it is home to their parents, they don't really like laughing and being silly with their kids for the short time that their kids are kids but would rather play "we are all so sophisticated, even our kale eating snowflakes who, by the way, are grades ahead at their montessori, bilingual, immersion, organic, free range school."

I'm the Provence poster. My DH and I are very much into letting our kids being kids. We get silly with them ALL of the time (I just had on a princess cape 5 min ago). I think because of this our kids have a great time wherever we are. So why not take a vacation that we want every now and then - our kids will have fun, we will have fun. It doesn't need to be Disney every single time.

A princess cape. You sound like an absolute hoot!

You're just jealous because you know I was rockin' it!

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Europe = Gettysburg?

Have you actually been to Europe? LOL.

Yes smarty pants, I have been to Europe. My point was, I'm not dragging my young children all the way to Europe to listen to them whine. I can listen to them whine locally...no need to spend $10,000 to do so. You are either obtuse or just trying to stir the pot.

If my kids were that whiny I probably wouldn't take them anywhere.

We priced out Disney for a week - nearly $10k. So instead we flew to France and stayed at a rental house in Provence for a week. We explored the local markets, went to the beach, hung out on our beautiful patio/pool, made international friends hanging in the village square while eating ice cream. It was very low key and fun for the kids. No stuffy museums, no forts, no battlefields, no "site seeing", no waiting in line, no crazy crowds, no long bus rides back to the hotel, no rush to map out rides and get fast passes, etc.

Again, I don't hate Disney and we will go to again sometime in the future, but Europe isn't necessarily more expensive and isn't necessarily boring for kids. It is a real option for families. As are many other places in the world. There are many fun places around here too.

You must have worked hard to make a week at Disney cost $10K! Way to crunch the numbers for the trip YOU really wanted.

I just priced it out again for spring break week - $8k for one very basic room on the monorail, mid-level dining option (only one sit down meal/day), only 5 days in the park, etc. With the current spring "sale" prices. Plus add in the extras and you are pretty close to $10k.

Crazy expensive. Especially compared to similar experiences at Dutch Wonderland, etc.

None of the resorts on the monorail are standard. They are all the best resorts in Disney and are like the Ritz versus the Hampton Inn. If you are really trying to find cheaper, you could look at Disney's value priced resorts (as low as 150 per night) or outside of WDW proper. I found a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo with washer dryer and full kitchen, about 5 minutes from WDW for 110 per night. Slept 10 people.

I wasn't trying to find the cheapest option. Just one that would work for our family that includes a napping 3 year old. Driving back and forth to a condo twice every day sounds pretty overwhelming. And what if my DH wanted to stay with our older child? Do we have the flexibility to split up?

And 10 people in a 2 bedroom place - really???

Anonymous wrote:When I go to Europe with my kids, you bet I'm going to take them to castles, museums, historic sites, etc. I also don't want to have the European vacation of renting a house in provence, not seeing any sites but drinking wine with new international "friends" in the market square. Sorry, but that type of vacation can be done in the States. What is so special about doing it in Europe?

A change of scenery is great for the soul. Sure, you can do the same things here in the US - we have - but for us it's refreshing to be in a different environment with different people, different food, different language, different scenery, etc. But if that's not your thing then don't do it.

Anonymous wrote:Question for the posters who are taking their kids white water rafting, zip lining in Belize, hiking in craters, etc:

Are they toddlers???

Because most folks take their kids to disney when they are 5 and under....because it's a great place for little kids. And to a pp: yes, you can actually take infants on many of the rides in Magic Kingdom.

Of course they are toddlers/preschoolers! What child that age doesn't love trekking to Belize to go zip lining or white water rafting or hiking in craters? And I'm sure these fine posters found one of the few tours that allow toddlers to do those sort of activities.

Question for the posters who are taking their kids white water rafting, zip lining in Belize, hiking in craters, etc:

Are they toddlers???

Because most folks take their kids to disney when they are 5 and under....because it's a great place for little kids. And to a pp: yes, you can actually take infants on many of the rides in Magic Kingdom.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Europe = Gettysburg?

Have you actually been to Europe? LOL.

+1. I just LOLed

Another obtuse poster