Anyone disappointed with their trip to WDW?

[ugadog99]

I'm sorry your trip was disappointing. I have never (in the 35+ trips) been disappointed. WDW is my little slice of heaven. It remains the only destination I have found where I can totally let go, relax, and escape the madness of the real world. WDW has a special place in my heart and brings warm memories for me everyday. I count down each day until the girls and I can return to our happy place. I love it so much, in fact, that when I retire in the next 8-10 years, I'll be moving to the area with hopes of working for the Mouse. Pixie dust and magic fills our trips and makes us smile-always.

 

[poohluvr]

Just relax. Just really take it easy and see how much difference it makes! Let the kids go in on Space Mountain (if they're old enough) and for once, just find a table with the umbrella over to the side and just sit back and people watch.

One of the best times I ever had was sitting in Mexico in Epcot under an umbrella in front of the cantina, sipping a frozen margarita. Just sitting there doing nothing. Then later that night at MK we stayed in Frontierland after Wishes and pretty much had the place to ourselves. My middle DS and I literally walked onto Splash Mountain and BTMRR while the other kids took to the shops. One of my most favorite days ever!

 

[luvthemouse71]

You know, last time I was at WDW in September, I did notice some apathy on the parts of some CMs. Not to be ageist, but it seemed to be mostly the younger ones and the few times it happened, it was at the resort(POR-which we loved, BTW) But then again, our mousekeeper was great and left these elaborate towel animals, and we had no kids with us...

I also think that these boards helped me have better trips, because people here can give good advice on how to experience WDW. I attended MNSSHP for the first time this trip based on someone here talking about it and had a wonderful time. Same thing with the dining plan. My cousin and his wife are taking their 7 and 5 year olds for the first time and I want them to have a great experience. They are going in April during school vacation(not my first choice but...)so I've been telling them to make sure to use fastpasses and to not kill themselvs trying to do everything. I brought back pins for the girls last trip and now they are excited about going to get more pins.

 

[MomWith2Cinderellas]

Dispappointed with a WDW trip no, but some of our trips have been better than others. We found that each trip has different magical memories.

 

[marciemi]

I agree with the "wait and see how you feel" approach. DH & I went on a cruise on our honeymoon (including Disney) and we felt like "eh - it was okay". But several years later we went on another cruise and were hooked. Sometimes more familiarity makes things more enjoyable.

I guess we've always felt Disney was different. DH grew up in LA to was of course very familiar with DL. I'd gone several times with my family growing up. Then after we were married, we lived in NC and drove down about 5 times before we had kids. And of course talked and dreamed about having kids to bring there and what we'd do/ride/enjoy with them. (Of course we did this at Chuck E Cheese too so maybe we're just strange! )

We also make very few ADR's. On our last (3 day only) trip we made one - for Sci Fi and I even felt that that really impeded on our day trying to plan shows/rides around it. On our trip next summer, out of 10 days at Disney, we're planning one ADR - a character meal at Garden Grill. The rest of the time we'll eat at our house (we're renting offsite), eat counter service, or (since we're staying offsite) eat offsite somewhere of a Denny's to Olive Garden level. Probably quite a bit cheaper than eating at Disney (especially with 3 "adult" children), food the kids are used to, but still sit down and get served. And without having to plan my life around it 6 months in advance.

I think these boards get so much into planning, it's hard to step back. But some of us are obsessed and enjoy the planning as much as the trip! I think the main thing people on these boards want is for newbies to not just wander in at noon to a park with no idea of where things are or what's even in the park they're in. You don't need to plan every second, but even just getting to a park early can make a HUGE difference in how much you enjoy your trip. I think a couple years from now you'll get the "bug" again. You'll see a commercial, get a planning DVD, and say "why not?" But this time you'll know what to expect and you can do it YOUR WAY!

 

[rie'smom]

Don't really know where this belongs... We just got back last week and I'm really quite disappointed in our trip. I honestly wish we chose another trip and spent that $3000 on something else or somewhere else. I was just completely disappointed in the trip. This is the 1st time since I've been since 1980 when I was 4yrs old. I guess I was expecting more "magic". I mean, we did have fun, but with all the research and such I did on here, I was expecting more. I honestly have no idea how people can go back year after year, or so frequently throught a single year. Anyone else feel this way? I may be shot down b/c of all the WDW lovers on here. Just hoping I'm not the only one....

I felt like this on my DD's second trip. Toon Town made me feel as though I were at a carnival. None of the parks had the same magic. I had been about 7 or 8 times before that one trip. The WDW spirit just wasn't there for me. However, when we went back the next year(I was dreading it), it felt like the old WDW to me. Go figure. Why that one particular trip didn't do it for me-I honestly don't know. I've been every year but one since then and I've loved each trip. I hope that next time you go ,the magic finds you again too.

 

[CleveRocks]

I guess it was mostly feeling rushed, maybe we do enjoy more of a relaxing setting and not having to be here for a show (and then sit and wait for 1/2hr in order to have a good seat), be there for an ADR, hurry to get there for the sleigh ride time. I think I wish we had forgotten the DDP, not read the Disboards, and discovered "the magic" all on our own.

I've been to Disney World 4 times as an adult, two of those times in the past 18 months. If I did what you did, as described in the above quote, we would have had a terrible time, too!

In our total of two weeks there over the past 18 months, we had exactly two meal experiences where you schedule AND pay in advance (Hoop Dee Doo Revue, breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table) and exactly two ADR's (Crystal Palace character meal last time, Chef Mickey's character meal last month). Other than that, we ate counter service, and had breakfasts in our room with grocery delivery food.

We rush for nothing. To us, vacation is all about relaxing, NOT having a schedule like at home the rest of the year. I can't relax knowing we've gotta be somewhere at a certain time.

We have almost no ADRs to get to, and we don't schedule any special events that take place by appointment or at an exact time. The lone exception to that is seeing Wishes at least once.

But I totally disagree with you about the DISboards. I LOVE the information I've gathered (as well as the information I share!). It's been invaluable to me to know all the information I know, not so I can plan things in advance, but rather so that no matter what situation I'm in at WDW, I can figure out the most efficient or fun way to do next whatever it is we want to do.

Each day, we don't know what park we're going to until late the night before, or the morning of. We pretty much let our kids, 6 and 4, decide what they want to do next, and we roll with it, for the most part.

No appointments. No schedules. No clocks. NO WORRIES.

 

[cazzie]

We went for the first time last year and didn't really have a clue what to expect. I found the dis boards and joined but with only a few weeks from booking to going I didn't really take much of it in except that a lot of planning seemed to be involved and I had nothing.

My expectations were hovering as I knew it was going to either be the best or the most disappointing holiday ever, I just hadn't a clue. Fortunately it was the best time ever and according to DH I spent 2 weeks walking around with a big grin on my face

We have been 4 times in the last couple of years and every time so far has been great, for us this may be due to the fact that we have never planned anything and if there are long lines for the ride and the fastpasses are too late in the day or have run out then we just walk away and find something else.

We have the free dining plan for September and the most I shall do is 2 ADR's and if we can't get a table meal where we want then we will exchange them for a counter service. The most important thing for me is that we both can take time to relax and enjoy the holiday, do the things we both enjoy and by doing that we don't have to look for the magic it will always find us.

 

[stapply]

"my husband ate the worst meal of his life at Planet Hollywood. It was downright undigestable and made him sick for two days. "

We were at Planet Hollywood during Thanksgiving week, and my daughter got sick from eating there also. Luckily, she was sick only one time during the night and felt fine the next day. We all enjoyed our meals except for that one thing.

 

[CleveRocks]

We have the free dining plan for September and the most I shall do is 2 ADR's and if we can't get a table meal where we want then we will exchange them for a counter service.

Sorry to change the subject, but ...

... are you sure you can do this???

I e-mailed Disney about this a few months ago, when I was trying to decide whether or not to pay for the Dining Plan.

They said that table-service credits can't be used at counter-service restaurants. I know that defies common sense and probably economics as well, but that was the reply.

 

[CathrynRose]

No way!!

Im sorry you didnt have a better time. It is a LOT of money to spend if you come back disappointed.

 

[CathrynRose]

Sorry to change the subject, but ...

... are you sure you can do this???

I e-mailed Disney about this a few months ago, when I was trying to decide whether or not to pay for the Dining Plan.

They said that table-service credits can't be used at counter-service restaurants. I know that defies common sense and probably economics as well, but that was the reply.

On October 5th of this year, I was able to use 2 table service credits for 2 counter service credits at the POP Century food court. Along with the meals, I also got vouchers for either a pin, a snack, or a poster. We got a poster and a pin.

If you check out the Restaurant Threads youll see alot of people mention this.

 

[leafette]

To answer your question--I've never been disappointed in a trip to WDW, but my kids said their all-time favorite trip there was last year when we had 3 non-park days built into the schedule. We shopped, swam, went to Cirque, slept in, hung out at the resort, and really kicked back. They loved that.

We're actually doing that for our Jan trip (building in a couple of non-park days). Went in Sept. for free dining, and while we weren't disappointed, everything was so planned--every meal, every park visit, etc. that the kids didn't get to spend any time at the resort. And Universal or Sea World were out of the question. This time, we are going to chill. Only 2 ADRs for our must-do restaurant.

 

[leafette]

On October 5th of this year, I was able to use 2 table service credits for 2 counter service credits at the POP Century food court. Along with the meals, I also got vouchers for either a pin, a snack, or a poster. We got a poster and a pin.

If you check out the Restaurant Threads youll see alot of people mention this.

When we were there in Sept., there were actually signs up mentioning this as a possibility along with the "free gift" mentioned above.

 

[floridacitrus]

I have only been to the World one time, my whole life. We waited until my kids were 9 and 7. I knew that it would not be a good time for us if they were any younger. I was, however, afraid that some of the "magic" would be lost since they were older. I am so glad we waited! All 4 of us were absolutely in awe of EVERYTHING. We had the best vacation ever. We will be passholders for 2007 and we look forward to revisiting time and time again. BUT, we all 4 love theme parks, my DH was all for it, and we had saved for years for this special vacation. I can see how it could be stressful and maybe not as magical if all you're expecting too much or if that type of vacation is just not for you. Maybe try again when the kids are older?

 

[Wendy1953]

I did't even look at anyone elses response..but here's my opinion...I love WDW, and go back 4 times a year (from NY)....but not everyone loves Disney! Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, and that goes for everything in life....some people like comedy, some tragedy, some mystery....some people like meats, some people don't....we shouldn't be here to judge other peoples choices....we are here to help, give experiences, and our likes and dislikes...but yours may differ from ours....but that's life!

Sorry you don't care for Disney, but here's hoping you find the vacation place of your dreams!

 

[bbangel]

I just got back yesterday after my first trip, and the one thing I was disappointed about was the music. I really missed hearing the Disney music. I like Christmas music but not the same songs over and over again. I think I will go back again at another time of year, and probably for a shorter time.

Sometimes when you do so much planning and hear about so many wonderful things happening to others, it can make your expectations really high and difficult to meet.

 

[Caitsmama]

I've NEVER been disappointed in my WDW trips.. Even this last one last month when we were sick with a stomach bug for days.. ugh.. lol.

Anyway - I read your reply about ADR's, and Shows, and such, and i would agree, don't plan so much next time! Let the magic find you! We spend LOTS of time at our resort, and just hanging out relaxing.. I am DEFINATELY not a park commando, and i like to take my time - if i make a show, great. If i miss it, oh well.. i will catch it another time.. no biggie. My mom use to drag us around when we were kids - like "ok, we have 20 min to go on XXXX ride, then we have to be at the indiana jones show at 2pm.. then we have 1 hr til we have to be in line for ZZZZ.." It drove me NUTS!!!

When DH and i went for our honeymoon just the two of us in 1999, we had NO ADR's, no plan what so ever.. we just winged it.. and it was one of the best trips i can remember!!

 

[Not so Dumbo]

OP- I understand how you feel. We were there for our second trip last week and it just wasn't as "magical" as our first one. I don't know if it was because everything wasn't new to us or if it was because the crowds were higher than expected and the weather was funky or if it was b/c the kids were constantly complaining and fighting all the time. Probably a mixture of all the above. I think in time I won't remember the bad things and will start dwelling on the good memories and we'll want to go back again........Only maybe w/o the kids

 

[FayeW]

Don't really know where this belongs... We just got back last week and I'm really quite disappointed in our trip. I honestly wish we chose another trip and spent that $3000 on something else or somewhere else. I was just completely disappointed in the trip. This is the 1st time since I've been since 1980 when I was 4yrs old. I guess I was expecting more "magic". I mean, we did have fun, but with all the research and such I did on here, I was expecting more. I honestly have no idea how people can go back year after year, or so frequently throught a single year. Anyone else feel this way? I may be shot down b/c of all the WDW lovers on here. Just hoping I'm not the only one....

Maybe it was something in the water last week, because I didn't have a great time either. Alot of the things we did we were seeing for the first time, so it's not like we were bored. I think, like you, I just expected the rides and shows to be better. I think our over-researching here on the Board is part of the problem because we know so much about how to get the most out of every experience, and then somehow, are underwhelmed by the reality.

We did a lot of really cool things, but I came away thinking that a lot of it was just lame. I think that we just read so much here about how great a meal was or how wonderful an attraction is that it really can't measure up to the anticipation we create.

My husband and children enjoyed things much more than I did, but in most cases, they had no idea what I had done ahead of time so that they could have that experience (the research, the reservations, etc).