Please help me to not hate Disney!

[disneysteve]

I love the Carved Turkey Sandwich served Warm on a Baguette with Dijon Mayonnaise (and arugula).

That's about the only thing on the menu I would order (without the mayo) or maybe the quiche. But $16 for a plain turkey sandwich and fries (maybe $14 without the fries) just isn't of interest. I guess it's not bad if my wife and I could share it. That's definitely the only thing on the menu that she would want. And there is nothing that my daughter would want there. Lots of other places more to our liking.

[Singuy]

Just came back from Disney this am and all I can say is WOW. When did this park become so crazy busy during off times? I swear Disney was never this busy 10-15 years ago. They have expanded the parks too and yet the wait time for anything all exceed 60mins on a Wednesday morning in the middle of school season (Magic Kingdom).

Are parents just taking their kids out of school for weeks because of Disney?

[disneysteve]

Just came back from Disney this am and all I can say is WOW. When did this park become so crazy busy during off times? I swear Disney was never this busy 10-15 years ago.

You're absolutely right. Attendance has been steadily climbing for years. It dipped some during the recession but other than that it's been straight up. Disney has done a phenomenal job of pulling people in during traditionally slow times through a combination of price-yielding and special events. For example, the Halloween party now starts in August, a few weeks earlier than it used to. The same for Food and Wine. Last year, they added the Festival of the Arts in January which will run for almost 6 weeks in 2018 at what used to be the dead of winter and really slow. RunDisney events bring in tens of thousands of people. There used to be one race. Now there are many throughout the year and those weeks are packed. Plus they continue to add new attractions like Pandora and the upcoming Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge which will boost crowds even more.

The number of international travelers also grows and their seasons and school schedules differ from ours here in the US so that also pulls in families at different times.

So yes, if you haven't been there for 10-15 years, the "slow" seasons today are pretty much what the "peak" seasons were back then.

[Singuy]

Well, the 3 free fast passes you get on your phone are life savers. I honestly feel bad for people who waits 90 mins for something lame and quick. There's no choice since pricing is so ridiculously expensive..so they have to get their money's worth even though that ride is no where near worth the wait time.

[bennkar]

Well my GF and I survived 7 days at WDW over a 2 week span. Whew, that was something. Got on every ride imaginable except Frozen, but that's ok. Very few rides had long lines (Flight of Passage was crazy long but only took 1 hour - I expected to wait 2 hours).

Financially it was the majority of our costs over the 2 weeks. $800 for two passes, $140 for parking, and maybe another $140 for food at the parks. We used DisneySteve's recommendation to get ice water everywhere for free. That really helped keep costs down.

Flight of Passage was a very different ride but very good (though I did not like the drumming area they have outside of it). Thankfully we were able to get a fast pass for it after we were in the park one day, so we got to experience it twice. We finally got on the 7 Dwarfs Mine ride, it was much better than I expected. And the Star Wars spectacular at Hollywood Studios was very impressive. Most days we could get Fast Passes for good rides throughout the day, though the last two days the passes seemed harder to come by - I don't know why that was. In any case, using the Fast Pass we rarely had waits of more than 15 minutes.

Only major disappointment was Epcot. So much was closed at the front of the park, and couldn't get into Frozen. And we weren't feeling the best that day. And no Chase lounge. Yeah, that day was a disappointment.

Another interesting thing was we got to Magic Kingdom the last day of Holloween displays, and returned a few days later and the park was decked out for Christmas. So interesting to see the change just days apart.

We also ate at Santu"li in Animal Kingdom twice. Nice food, we really enjoyed eating there.

[disneysteve]

(Flight of Passage was crazy long but only took 1 hour - I expected to wait 2 hours).

That's great. A 1-hour wait for FoP isn't bad at all and I'd say that's worth it for sure, especially if it was your first time.

We used DisneySteve's recommendation to get ice water everywhere for free. That really helped keep costs down.

Glad to hear it. The amount people spend on bottled water is outrageous.

the Star Wars spectacular at Hollywood Studios was very impressive

None of us are big Star Wars fans but we were blown away by this show. We think it is pure Disney magic at its best.

Only major disappointment was Epcot. So much was closed at the front of the park

That's too bad. I don't follow the rehab schedule except for when we're going to be there. What was closed?

Another interesting thing was we got to Magic Kingdom the last day of Holloween displays, and returned a few days later and the park was decked out for Christmas. So interesting to see the change just days apart.

It's even more amazing when you go 2 days in a row and one day is Halloween and the next day is Christmas. How they do that overnight is mind boggling.

We also ate at Santu"li in Animal Kingdom twice. Nice food, we really enjoyed eating there.

Same here. Very unique and tasty.

Glad you had a great trip.

[klarose]

Add me to the list of people who don't like Disney.

I'm an avid Disney movie fan. I mean love them. I have all of the masterpiece collection. So I was super excited to go to Disney in Florida this past May (before school got out). When I got there I was highly disappointed.

A disclaimer, I am a wimp and do NOT like roller coasters or big rides of any kind. I don't ride anything with drops. I thought Disney would be perfect for me because it is more "child friendly."

We went to Magic Kingdom. It was so so crowded. We waited in line for over an hour for most of the rides. We were able to use the fast pass a little, but since it was our first time we didn't know which rides to do/when to book them because we weren't sure where they were/how long it would take to get there.

The park only had about a dozen rides (honestly most were boring). The rest of the park was tons of overpriced shops and food places. Ugh.

I get overstimulated in large crowds, and the thousands of people pushing, crying, talking, etc. was just too much. The lines were not shaded/comfortable. I felt like I couldn't relax and enjoy it because we had to go go go to see the park.

IF I ever went back (unlikely because husband hated it more than me) I would definitely want to get a longer park hopper pass so I can go for just half a day if I'm feeling overwhelmed and take my time.

In contrast I also went to Universal Studios/Adventure Island which I LOVED. It had a lot of people too but it felt more spread out/chilled environment. The rides were SO much better than Disney's rides. We barely had to wait for anything, and when we did the lines were often inside or had fans.

As a person who has always hated roller coasters/rides I was afraid I wouldn't be able to ride anything at Universal. But I took a chance and found that the 4D rides do not bother me at all. I finally got to experience the thrill of an amusement park and actually enjoy it. If the simulated drop was too much for me I could just close my eyes. I had so much fun! (My nauseous husband not so much)

At Disney we ended up leaving a couple hours before park close because we had already been on all the rides we wanted and it was hot and boring. At Universal we were the first people there and stayed until they kicked us out. I got to ride several things back to back without lines. The rides were absolutely top quality and amazing.

I can't wait to go back to Universal! I feel like the park was much better thought out, and had more actual rides/things to do besides just eat and shop.

[disneysteve]

Add me to the list of people who don't like Disney.

Disney World is certainly not for everyone. There's no denying that. That said, let me just comment on a few things you said as it might benefit others.

We waited in line for over an hour for most of the rides. We were able to use the fast pass a little, but since it was our first time we didn't know which rides to do/when to book them because we weren't sure where they were/how long it would take to get there.

I find that many first-timers think they can just show up at Disney World without any research or preparation in advance and that's a shame because it definitely impacts the enjoyment of the visit. And there is abundant information available online for free. You don't need to spend a penny on a guidebook.

FastPasses help a great deal. They can be booked 60 days in advance if you are staying at a Disney hotel and 30 days in advance if you aren't. Dining reservations can be made 180 days in advance. Just knowing those two facts would make many people's trips so much better.

The park only had about a dozen rides (honestly most were boring).

The Magic Kingdom currently has about 30 rides and attractions. Five are roller coasters.

I get overstimulated in large crowds

That would definitely make a place like Disney World not a good choice for you. It is place where you are sure to encounter large crowds.

The lines were not shaded/comfortable.

Actually, almost all lines are shaded and some are even air conditioned. I don't think I'd call them "comfortable" though as you're just standing the whole time so that isn't any fun.

I felt like I couldn't relax and enjoy it because we had to go go go to see the park.

This is a common problem. A lot of people go with the mindset that they need to hit every ride, show, and attraction. Then they end up having a miserable time. I understand it especially if it's your first time and you want to see and do it all. I think people don't realize how much "all" actually is. A far better plan, when doing your research, is to pick a few attractions that you really want to see and focus on getting to those. If you get to others, great. If not, you won't leave disappointed. Even now after dozens of visits, we still talk in advance about what things we each want to be sure to get to when we go.

IF I ever went back (unlikely because husband hated it more than me) I would definitely want to get a longer park hopper pass so I can go for just half a day if I'm feeling overwhelmed and take my time.

How many days were you there this trip? It takes at least 2 full days to see the Magic Kingdom. If it's a particularly busy time, it may take closer to 3. And then there are 3 other parks as well.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I agree that you can't do it all but it's fun to just pick and choose. I am dying to take the kids while they still love the magic. We're considering a week end of August, i hear the crowds are a little better.

[terri77]

I went once as an adult & I'm good if I never return. I have no kids at 40. Unless I have kids in the next few years or my niece & nephew beg me, I'm good with that being my only trip. We did go during the Christmas holidays (flew back Christmas Eve) and it was decorated very nicely. I enjoyed the Christmas store at Downtown Disney and we stayed at Shades of Green resort. It's not a horrible place, but I don't care for amusement parks.

[kingsuperflu]

disney is god and life

[QuarterMillionMan]

I just heard that Disney World Resorts is charging hotel guests $13 to $24 a night for parking. Now I can see charging park goes who are not staying at the hotel for parking but charging hotel guests for parking is beyond me. Most Las Vegas hotels charge hotel guests for parking so I can see where Disney World Resorts may have gotten the idea.

[bennkar]

I just heard that Disney World Resorts is charging hotel guests $13 to $24 a night for parking. Now I can see charging park goes who are not staying at the hotel for parking but charging hotel guests for parking is beyond me. Most Las Vegas hotels charge hotel guests for parking so I can see where Disney World Resorts may have gotten the idea.

From what I read these charges only applied to those who were not members of the Disney Vacation Club. Just another way to suck people in and keep them attached and spending money. Also its only supposed to be on overnight visitors. You can still go there to these places during the day and not pay to park (again - that's what I read)

And.... as a (small) Disney shareholder who doesn't plan on staying at one of their villas (or whatever you call 'em), I'm not complaining.

That all said, I bet DS can come by and give better details on just how this effects regular visitors.

[Like2Plan]

I read about this change as well. I believe the change goes into effect for all reservations made after today.

[rennigade]

I just heard that Disney World Resorts is charging hotel guests $13 to $24 a night for parking. Now I can see charging park goes who are not staying at the hotel for parking but charging hotel guests for parking is beyond me. Most Las Vegas hotels charge hotel guests for parking so I can see where Disney World Resorts may have gotten the idea.

Imagine that...disney siphoning more money out of peoples pockets. Sad part is people will just willingly pay it. And if you're on team disney you'll defend them until the end. Its no different than politics. If you're team red or team blue...you're going to defend your parties actions no matter what.

I thought it was gross when vegas started doing that a few years ago. I was to vegas before that happened. Parking is not an issue in vegas...they have nothing but space there. Just another way to extract money.

I can already hear the arguments..."you dont have to stay there, you dont have to go, etc etc." Its still gross. And like I said...most working class people with a family of 4 cannot afford to go to disney. The only thing that matters is the bottom line...get used to it. Magical place huh??