Am I The Only One With SIMPLE Expectations?

[luckytobeme88]

Well said, AmyA.
I absolutely love this thread, and feel that this is a must read before you go to WDW. Please be a smart consumer!!!

 

[MollyMoo]

So true. I have a rough rule of thumb -- the more time a reviewer uses the word horrible the less I pay attention to it. I have never had a horrible stay anywhere in my life. I have certainly had interesting stays...

Arrived in Paris for honeymoon, check into downtown hotel... two single beds! Oh well, just crowd into one -- after all, it is our honeymoon. Next morning, room service knocks once on door, then walks in. I am standing there stark naked! A couple of days later, when we walk back to the hotel, there is a police officer frantically searching under a car in front of the hotel, which our room overlooked. Other officers send us behind a corner, then we hear a large BANG that scares the crap out of us and the officers! I guess it was some kind of joke bomb because nothing really blew up! Now can you imagine what some posters would make of that stay? It wasn't cheap either, over $100 a night in 1984 dollars. But it was still a nice hotel and great trip.

The worst thing about it? I was young and that was my "practice" wife, so I cannot even reminisce about it with my real wife of 16 years!

We arrived in our hotel in Hawaii for our honeymoon in what they referred to as a "honeymoon suite" and guess what? Twin beds. It was a long time ago (1975) but we were long past the Rob and Laura Petrie era! We weren't as adventurous as you ... we moved the nightstand and pushed the two together ... our first king sized bed!

 

[jnzimm]

I couldn't agree with you more.

There is nothing better than walking into mk and looking down main street towards the castle on a bright sunny day with my wife and 9 yr old daughter.

 

[eliza61]

We arrived in our hotel in Hawaii for our honeymoon in what they referred to as a "honeymoon suite" and guess what? Twin beds. It was a long time ago (1975) but we were long past the Rob and Laura Petrie era! We weren't as adventurous as you ... we moved the nightstand and pushed the two together ... our first king sized bed!

Maybe this should be a new thread. Vacation disasters, so posters can get a little perspective on how to make the best of a situation.

Dh & I went on a cruise that left from Jamaica. Well we get to Jamaica and immediately get hit with a Hurricane ( I think it was Charley) and to make matters worse, we actually got on the cruise and followed the hurricane. We were a day behind every single isport the thing hit. know what, the entire boat full of people chip in, and made a party of it since the ship couldn't restock food was getting a little low "we had a bologna bingo game", we had a hurricane fashion show where one of the items had to be a life vest.
I got married in 85 so the majority of cruise guest back then where elderly retirees, I just think they had a "when life hands you lemons-make lemonaide" type attitude.

 

[catbertdave99]

Well said, AmyA.
I absolutely love this thread, and feel that this is a must read before you go to WDW. Please be a smart consumer!!!

I couldn't agree more!

 

[PolyAddict]

I totally agree and learned this lesson trying to plan a budget trip in 2005. We booked POR and honestly got exactly what I had anticipated. Guess what? It wasn't POLY concierge like we had on our 2003 trip. Can believe this room for a third of the $ wasn't up to par with the big boys? For our family of 5 besides 2 value rooms or one room at POR we are limited to Deluxes. So I have been on a search for our favorite "bang for our buck" deluxe and found it at the Swolphin. I am very familiar with what my money buys me at WDW and am willing to spend accordingly to get that. I think that some people have a hard time accepting the big bucks that they have spent or are trying to justify it to a spouse or significant other so they get all bent out of shape about the little things.

 

[mickeymoo]

Perhaps if the works"perfect, "wonderful" and magical " weren't thrown around these boards all the time, people would have simpler expectations! The way you make it sound a trip at WDW is always magical and wonderful...so look in the mirror, perhaps the posters are at fault for raising some of the readers expectations unrealistically.

 

[danceintherain]

Maybe this should be a new thread. Vacation disasters, so posters can get a little perspective on how to make the best of a situation.

I totally agree!

 

[Tony NY]

right on I could not agree more with you
love the post

 

[sfbank]

Great post!! We just got back less than two weeks ago and we had a great trip! The parks were nice & clean. The Boardwalk was as beautiful and fun as ever. They are getting ready to refurbish the rooms there but it was still great. We did not run in to one grouchy CM at all. In fact we struck up a conversation with many friendly CMs that went out of their way to make us feel like guests. Great times! Yes I know things can happen once in awhile but I honestly don't know how people can find so many things wrong all the time. Again, I guess we are just one of those families that are just happy to be at Disney .

 

[spooky1]

Personally I dont care if the guest next to me feels like theyve been jipped out of magical experience. Sure I hope everyone has a magical time, but if they dont its none of my business and thats the case for almost everyone.

Further I am not in a position to judge another guest or to set any limits onto how much worth/value they place on "magic" nor how they use their judgement to assess that magic - again thats the case for almost everyone.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

It is still so magical at times it is hard to believe.......

I just think if you compare "old" Disney to the Disney we have today you may be disappointed.

 

[cecile]

I am glad I found this post when I did. I just finished a review of the Polynesian princess suite. We have been going to Disney for 16 out of 20 years of marriage. We took our daughter for her high school graduation present. We had some jewelry stolen out of our suitcase at either the polynesian storage area or while the toilet paper holder in our suite was being repaired. We cannot prove either and just have to accept the loss but will be more careful in the future.

 

[Clotho]

Perhaps if the works"perfect, "wonderful" and magical " weren't thrown around these boards all the time, people would have simpler expectations! The way you make it sound a trip at WDW is always magical and wonderful...so look in the mirror, perhaps the posters are at fault for raising some of the readers expectations unrealistically.

That is a really good point actually!

But surely you don't expect us to couch our language about our wonderful and magical experiences just because someone else might not have the same? Instead, I would hope everyone would take any recommendation, good or ill, with a grain of salt, go in with an open mind, and decide for themselves.

 

[deedeetoo]

I totally agree with everything on this thread. A hotel room is a hotel room. If it is clean, bug free, not too hot or cold, and has enough towels (not the animal kind) then I am happy.

I can't believe what people complain about and how they say it ruined their trip. The one that bugs me the most is when people say their kids were so disappointed because they didn't get something or because they didn't have a certain experience. Who is feeding the kids expectations? I don't tell my kids, or even my dh for that matter, about most of the stuff I read here. When we got towel animals on one trip they were completely blown away because they had never heard of them. When dd got a card and balloon from Minnie because it was her birthday we were all surprised. I never expected anything.

When I stay at WDW, in DVC or in a regular room, I expect a reasonably clean and comfortable room. Everything else is gravy.

 

[Figment's Friend]

It seems as though more and more posts for resort reviews are a long list of grievances spawned by high expectations. Everyone expects so much "magic" for their dollar that it clouds their everyday judgement...because its Disney..they are supposed to make my dreams come true.

I understand (BOY do I understand) how expensive a Disney vacation can be and we all want to get our moneys worth. Everyone wants to experience the magic of Disney.

I can't help but think this disappointment being experienced by many is nothing more than unrealistic high expectations.

My expectations are simple.

I expect to get a themed hotel of my choosing based on my budget and personal taste balanced with unique pros and cons that I am WELL aware of prior to my arrival. For Example, I understand that the CSR is a large, spread out resort and it will require more walking. If I choose this hotel and get tired of extra walking, then I understand its my fault for making such a choice and move on.

I expect my room rates are based on hotel location and amenities. Just like any piece of real estate...location, location, location. The closer you are to the Castle, the higher the price. That price gets me convenience, bigger rooms, bigger beds, nicer furniture, more food options, more entertainment options, more available services.

I expect a clean room, friendly service, reasonable safety, hot water, and the typical consumables and info materials found in most any hotel room.

I do not EXPECT towel animals. I do not expect every CM to say "hello" or "aloha" even if I initiate. They are busy doing their job. How can they expect to keep their "train of thought" if they have to stop and respond to every guest that passes by? I would rather have them quickly be on their way to...fix a toilet or deliver bed rails or check on pool chemicals or whatever. I do not expect to get special birthday wishes. I do not expect an upgrade. I APPRECIATE being on the receiving end of ANY of these but expecting all of this only sets one up for disappointment.

Being at Disney, seeing and experiencing the wonder of it all through the eyes of a child or "being a child"..reliving your childhood is what the magic is all about.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

You have read my mind! I think this often whenever I see a bunch of negative comments about specifics such as these. I'm just blessed to be at the World and have never had a bad experience. THANK YOU!!

 

[acourtwdw]

We have been to WDW over 50 times since 92 and I didn't realize that we were "entitled" to some many things that we weren't getting until I started reading this board I have never had a bad trip to WDW and Sept can't come soon enough.

 

[Figment's Friend]

I totally agree with everything on this thread. A hotel room is a hotel room. If it is clean, bug free, not too hot or cold, and has enough towels (not the animal kind) then I am happy.

I can't believe what people complain about and how they day it ruined their trip. The one that bugs me the most is when people say their kids were so disappointed because they didn't get something or because they didn't have a certain experieince. Who is feeding the kids expectations? I don't tell my kids, or even my dh for that matter, about most of the stuff I read here. When we got towel animals on one trip they were completely blown away because they had never heard of them. When dd got a card and balloon from Minnie because it was her birthday we were all surprised. I never expected anything.

When I stay at WDW, in DVC or in a regular room, I expect a reasonably clean and comfortable room. Everything else is gravy.

I agree with you. The little things, as special as they are, are GRAVY and should not make somebody's vacation complete or outcome any negativity whatsoever.

I remember on our trip last year, DM and I were so excited about YOAMD. We NEVER expected to win anything and were just thankful/happy/excited to be vacationing at such an exciting time for Disney parks. We ended up winning 2 dreams and got a free room upgrade, but if we hadn't received any of these things, it would have still been the trip of a lifetime. Certainly these are special memories, but it didn't MAKE the trip in the least. We were vacationing at WDW, that's what mattered!

 

[Lehuaann]

We have been to WDW over 50 times since 92 and I didn't realize that we were "entitled" to some many things that we weren't getting until I started reading this board I have never had a bad trip to WDW and Sept can't come soon enough.

I agree! It was our (Myself, DH, DS, DD, & Grandma) first trip to DW last Sep and we went with no entitlements or expectations. We had a clean cabin w/ wha???! Did Grandma bring stuffed animals from home to put in the windows???? It actually took me a few days before I realized that our CM made "towel" animals for our windows. We left them in the window all week and did not expect our CM to make us new ones everyday. We also did not take them home as I've heard others do here on the Dis. (do they belong to us??) We had the BEST time at DW and were SO happy to come back to a clean cabin everyday~

 

[LeesyUD]

I will say that I both agree and disagree with what the OP said. I tend to think I am picky when it comes to hotels, but when I see what other people post I am shocked sometimes. I do think that some people are looking for things to complain about. But I also think people are entitled to their own opinions. And you can not expect everyone to react to a situation the same way.

Also the OP mentioned about the CSR being so large as an example. I feel that someone that decided to stay there may know it is large ahead of time, but when they get there it may even be even larger than they thought it would be. Now to one person that may be no big deal, they just adjust. But to another person they may not enjoy their stay as much bc the walking was too hard on them at the end of the day, or it took away from the feel of the resort. So that could be something that really affected their stay and in turn they may not want to return to that resort bc in the end it was just too big of a resort for them. And I don't see anything wrong with that bc everyone is entitled to their own opinions.

I think that Disney sets itself up for higher expectations bc of the "magic" they say they will deliver. But I think some people take that way too far. I also think that as much as a person researches something, there can still be let downs. And I feel that if you have been to a resort once before you cannot expect to have the same experience every single time. Also it is ridiculous to assume you will get an upgrade, or a request you wanted etc. just bc you think you may be entitled for whatever reason. Expectations like those are unreasonable.

The expectations that I have when I go to a hotel or resort, is that the room and hotel are clean and in good condition, the staff is courteous, and I get what I paid for. Everything else I make sure I am aware of the plus and minuses of the resort. Sometimes I will find some new "downsides" to certain resorts, but I myself try not let one small thing ruin the whole resort or experience for me. But what I may see as a small downside, could be something that could really take away from someone else's vacation. I think it is all a matter of perspective.