5 biggest misconceptions about DISNEY?

[nettii]

its to expensive omgosh look around at all the cm's and how clean it is

you only need to go ONCE ha ha ha ha

Who cares what everyone elses mis concept. are lets keep dis our secret!

 

[nhdisnut]

I haven't read any of the other posts in this thread (yet) I'm curious if others feel the same way I do. Here are my top 5:

1) That WDW is "just for kids."
2) That WDW is always crowded and that crowds = a miserable time.
3) That WDW is just too expensive.
4) That everything in WDW is "fake."
5) That once someone has visited WDW once, that they have "done it." Why go back again?

My feelings:

1) Young, old, or in between - WDW is for all ages!
2) Knowing when or how to avoid the most crowded times of year, or the most crowded parks on particular days, can make a huge difference! Even when crowds are heavy, a good touring plan (UG or TGM) helps tremendously! Fastpass! is a great feature - use it!
3) WDW can be as expensive as you want (plenty of opportunity to spend $$$$$$), but can also be experienced on a somewhat strict budget. I've done it both ways, and had a blast either way!
4) Some of the most genuine human experiences I have had have been with Cast Members at WDW. The friendliness, kindness, and helpfulness of some of these individuals helps remind me that customer service isn't necessarily gone from our world. In addition, the joy that WDW gives my family on vacation is very real - I wouldn't trade that for anything!
5) There is always something new (at the theme parks, resorts, water parks, DD....).....

Now I'm off to read what others have said.....I'm curious!

 

[kimberh]

That it can be done in 3 days.
That you go if you have small children.
That it is expensive.
That it is crowded
That there is a long line for every ride.

 

[GoofyBaby]

Sorry, but I have to disagree. I always eat what I want and lose at least 5 lbs each trip.
I don't think it is a misconception, but more of a metabolism/genetic thing.

Can I have your metabolism? I always end up gaining a few pounds on my Disney trips! By the way, nice to see another D/FW DISer on the boards!


Back to Biggest misconceptions. . .

1. Lines are always too long
2. You have to pay to use FastPass
3. Too hot & humid
4. Too many people
5. Can't think of any more!

 

[deekaypee]

I have six, off the top of my head. There's some repetition with others' lists, and I think it's a bit more "serious" than most. Perhaps it's my mood; insomnia makes me reflective or slap-happy, alternately. Call this my introspective mode.

1. WDW is simply an amusement park, a theme park or a number of theme parks. It's a resort with multiple theme parks, hotels, dining, transportation, shopping, etc. This ties in for me with the myth that one trip to WDW means one never need visit it again because every trip would be exactly the same, a "been there, done that" argument which doesn't necessarily apply.

2. WDW is for children, first and foremost, and families with children, second, and only those folks. This means that all things on Disney property should be designed with those audiences in mind, G-rated and family friendly. Or that people who choose to go to Disney and don't have children are somehow infantilized.

3. WDW isn't a corporation with executives, employees, stockholders, and a business plan. Of course Disney is a business, and WDW's goal is to sell us--consumers (although we prefer the term guests) leisure-time experiences, services, and entertainment. Now, most of us wouldn't trade these experiences. But WDW is a business, with an eye toward the bottom line. Too often people treat Disney as if it is something that shouldn't be concerned with such mundane things as profits, or corporate policies, or growth, whatever. And Disney and WDW has always been a business; it's private space, not public space. This means that WDW (and Disney by extension) can be examined, even critiqued, as such.

4. WDW is perfect, above criticism, because it is Disney and represents childhood, fantasy, innocence, and the like. Or that WDW represents all things evil, as does Disney, BECAUSE it's a corporate entity with a great deal of cultural power. Both are oversimplifications. Same goes with Walt Disney, the man. Not perfect, not evil, not even a perfectly evil genius.

5. WDW is a "must do" for families. This cuts both ways--people feeling pressured to take their children to WDW to be good parents and guilty if they don't. Or people who complain that they "have to" take their children to Disney, and hating it because it a) costs too much, b) is just for kids (see #2), c) Disney is just an evil corporation interested in the bottom dollar. No one is forced to go to Disney--there's no mandatory pilgrimage to the Mouse. It's optional, although I'll also say that Disney is not affordable for everyone.

6. WDW is a place alone, rather than a themed environment which also consists of the interactions between people, both CMs and guests (or employees and consumers, if you prefer).

 

[susan1]

Sorry, but it is. I love Disney, but the costs are outrageous. We make what is considered a solid, good, middle class income and we have to sacrifice and save for at least two years to afford a trip to Disney. Regular folks just don't have that kind of money at their disposal. It's too bad, because everyone should get the chance to experience the special magic that is Disney. I had to wait until I was 31 to do it. Now I'm in love with the place and can't afford to go back!

no flames please but i feel this is a misconception. disney is as budget or de luxe as you want to make it. you can stay at a perfectly clean quality inn for approx $27 including cold breakfast, use the free shuttle to parks. ride the lynx bus to eat. cici's is $3.99 for buffet. buy snacks and water to take into the parks. you can now buy tickets to suit your length of stay and the other parks are allways doing special offers! but of course if you have to stay on site at the better hotels then yes its pretty pricey. i knw which i'd choose and do. means i get to go twice a year roll on january and next sept!

 

[carolfoy]

That it can be done in 3 days.
That you go if you have small children.
That it is expensive.
That it is crowded
That there is a long line for every ride.

I totally agree with this! as a UK travel agent who has been to WDW 4 times (and we've still not doen it all!) I know its excellent value...

example: family of four to Majorca med august (about a 2 hour flight) in a 4star hotel Half board £2402 toal. Entertainment on top of that!
same family to WDW £3652 with free dining and park tickets included!
yes the £1200 might seem more at time of booking but you can easily spend that on pedalo hire/crazy golf/evening entertainment in spain.

 

[Cee]

One of the biggest misconceptions I've found is that you don't always have to
make ADR's way, way in advance. The last time DH and I were there, we called
from our hotel room and got ressies to Fulton's, Hoop-Dee-Doo, and La Nouba
all for later that same evening. We didn't wait at all and our seats for the
shows were great! This was in December. Give it a try, all they can say is
"no". It made the trip much more relaxing for us. I found over the years that
when I made the ADR's before leaving home, when the time comes we don't
always feel like going and cancel the ressie. I like it when it's more spontaneous. "Hey, let's see if we can get a ressie for (blank) tonight." and
see what happens.

 

[ransom]

Misconceptions:

1) The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is better than the Disneyland Park in Disneyland Resort. Sure, it has fewer attractions, but it's still better because that's the only one most people have ever visited.

2) A few days at WDW is plenty. Who would want to spend more time than that doing Dumbo and Space Mountain?

3) Epcot, Disney/MGM, Animal Kingdom, and California Adventure are all just variations on a theme; that is, they're all just like the Magic Kingdom/Disneyland Park, only with a bit of different theming. That's why they're all so disappointing. They're just shadows of the original.

4) The best way for Disney to take care of its shareholders is to take care of its shareholders first, last, and always. Cut costs, boost short-term profitability - even at the expense of customers. Deal with the resulting problems in some other fiscal quarter, if ever. Taking care of the customer first is a losing strategy.

5) Disney is going down the tubes. The parks are dirty, the food is terrible (and there's not enough of it), and rides break down all the time. Just look at the attendance figures for the last few years, and you'll see - Disney is dying!

6) There's no reason to go to a Disney theme park if a Six Flags park is closer and less expensive.

7) Going to Disney theme parks is expensive, unlike going to my local county fair. The experiences are comparable, so why does Disney charge me so much for air fare and hotel lodging?

8) Only 5-year-olds and weird people like Disney theme parks.

 

[FantasylandCM]

What does Adr stand for?

Thanks

 

[°O°Joe]

What does Adr stand for?

Thanks

Advanced Dining Reservations. Are you really a CM?

 

[madelinesmum]

I WISH!!!!!
Only in my dreams!

 

[FantasylandCM]

Thats what I thought although I wasnt sure because it wasnt all capitalised. It looked like it could have meant something else.

And yes, I really am a CM.

 

[°O°Joe]

Thats what I thought although I wasnt sure because it wasnt all capitalised. It looked like it could have meant something else.

And yes, I really am a CM.

Cool, welcome to the DIS...