Back yesterday and have some thoughts...

[TastefullyChris]

I've noticed that the people who compain the most are the ones who knew the least when they arrived...

they didn't know the prices of the CS food (which isn't any worse than any other theme park or mall food court) or what dining choices are available (much less that they need to make ADR months in advance to eat with the Princesses)

they didn't know the size and scope of WDW (walk from one park to the other, see everything in a couple of days, etc)

they didn't know the hours or crowd conditions to expect (you mean if I show up at the park at noon in July it will be crowded and I won't get to ride much)

they didn't know how the fast pass system works (or that there even was one)

they didn't know that by doing less, they could enjoy what the do more.

Of course there is also the ones who are unhappy because they know too much (or they think they do)... they know every ride, every hour each park is open, all crowd conditions, the weather, every character meal and greeting... and they want to cram all of it into one 5 day trip. They are too busy worrying about what they are missing that they can't enjoy what they are doing... been there, done that, glad I'm over it.

Oooh...you nailed me....to a tee! I was "She who knew too much!" Fortunately, I figured out the problem on Day 2 of our 6 Day trip. I quickly realized after two days of frustration at my family for "not seeing enough", that I needed to just let go...have fun...relax. I had figured this would be our "trip of a lifetime". Had not been to WDW with kids or with FOUR parks to see. And resigned myself to start saving for another trip in the near future! Fortunately, I did not resort to yelling at my family. I just felt like I had been riding them with spurs on for two days. When I looked at everyone drooping and moping at 2pm for the third day, I realized the afternoon breaks would become a necessity.

Days 3 thru 6 were heaven! We did not see everything...how could anyone possibly do that!?! But we had a blast! The most "magical" moment??? Our late night at MGM after Fantasmic. My DS10 decided he needed a Mickey Scorcerer hat so we went to the shop under the BIG HAT. They were playing awesome music...Mambo #5 and LaVIda Loca. My two boys were trying on hats, dancing and fooling around. Even DS12 who DOES NOT DANCE was breakin' out his best moves. It was a beautiful night...cool and clear, no crowds. And I realized THIS is what makes gives you the vacation "payoff"...this is when you get your "money's worth". That memory is golden in my mind.

 

[Jesussavedme]

1.I don't know. That's a question my mother in law would be better to answer.


Yeah, some ppl are just chronic complainers! Not much you can do about that!

2.How do you know they were by the pool all day? They could have been there during the evening hours. Alot of kids like to swim at night, and the parents go up to the bar, and have a few drinks, talk to some out-of-towners. I do this.

My kids included. This is such a nice relaxing way to end a day and besides, who are we to decide how they should spend their vacation? Their $$, they get to spend it however they like!

3.Well, I certainly don't spend ALL my vacation time yelling, but being someplace for a week with your family, the adults are bound to have disagreements. The kid(s) act up, get on your nerves, and temperatures boil over. It's breif, but does happen.

YES - this is VERY true. It's the happiest place on earth, but long lines, the heat, tantrums, disagreements and all of the above can make one unhappy. Just this past weekend my son decided to turn into mr. mouthy teenager with his rolling eyes and bobbing head and totally ruined our visit to DTD.

I think the thing to do is don't complain until you have walked a day in their shoes. Life ain't easy!

 

[jsmla]

Every family has its moments. I love my family and love going to WDW with them but if you were to follow us around for a week you'd be bound to see a bit of less than magical behavior. Just because you see a family looking unhappy at that moment doesn't mean that's the way their whole vacation went. DD, for example, can go from happy to furious to pouting to contrite and back to happy in less time than it took me to type this. If you happen to see us during that 10 minutes or so (I type slowly) you would think we're the most miserable bunch on earth. Any other time we're just another happy family enjoying WDW and each other.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Wow, i'm glad I read this thread!!! My trip is next November, and we are already planning. I now realize the best planning is making sure you don't overplan, i'm going to make sure we have plenty of time to hang out and relax too, and enjoy just talking, laughing and goofing around. After all ,we all want to go to the Happiest place on earth to be Happy.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We just got home yesterday. I was trying not to listen to the conversation just in back of me on the plane, but they were talking loudly and I couldn't get into my book. The people were just "meeting." He's a non-custodial dad, she a younger gal, just coming back from an Orlando vacation, don't know where, but she asked about going to Disney with his children.

She: So have you taken your children to WDW?
He: Once and never again. They live close to Kings Island, and are used to no lines, great coasters, and going as often as they like.
She: Oh, so I guess they're too old for Disney?
He: They were 6 and 8 when I took them. It was during last summer. The crowds were terrible. We spent 4 hours in the MK and they wanted to leave so we did. It was a bad experience, but now they can say that they "did" the Disney thing.

Wow!

Bobbi

 

[sjcmi]

It's sad to say but some people just don't like thier family. Sometimes there are other places they would rather be and take this out on thier family. I have known too many people who have gotten married and had children for all the wrong reasons. They just end up miserable and forget how to be happy.

When you see a family like this, take a look at yours and be thankful. I have seen unpleasant events between families at the parks, and it makes me appreciate mine all the more. Its at times like these that I put my arm around my Son and give him a good hug. Someday when he has kids of his own he might understand where I was coming from.

 

[mikymouse]

When we went I kept thinking "How could anyone complain about WDW?".. the place is beautifully maintained with well intentioned friendly staff and so many different options for fun.

Any one that finds their way to this board would have invested enough time to have their expectations set before their trip. I knew up front and came to terms with the costs, crowds, and size of WDW so I was not disappointed but absolutely thrilled to go on this "adventure" with my family. Now we did not see everything maybe only 10% of the place but we had a great time.

Now if I only watched the planning video I might have been expecting more bang for my buck and largely disappointed when I arrived at 1PM in Magic Kingdom to find a 20 minute line for a overpriced lunch and much longer waits for the rides.

One of the most helpful post on this board was someone very briefly stated that Disney is vacation that requires a little research and that single tip probably saved me from being one of those grumpy visitors.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

Personally, I think if you go on vacation looking to get the biggest "bang for your buck" you are likely going to be disappointed or become aggrivated at some time.

A vacation is supposed to be about relaxing and enjoying the ability to forget the worries and stresses of "real life". So slow down and enjoy! You'll be amazed at how much the little things that you otherwise will have missed will only enhance your vacation!

 

[Stitch65]

Personally, I think if you go on vacation looking to get the biggest "bang for your buck" you are likely going to be disappointed or become aggrivated at some time.

A vacation is supposed to be about relaxing and enjoying the ability to forget the worries and stresses of "real life". So slow down and enjoy! You'll be amazed at how much the little things that you otherwise will have missed will only enhance your vacation!

I agree! I planned out our days at the park but only in the mornings, I left the afternoons open for swimming, FP'ing fav rides, wandering, etc. And as to the other post about seeing only a moment of someone's frustration, I also agree. In fact, I'm guilty as charged. I had a "melt-down" moment outside of Toon Town. My Dh went for a bathroom break and he didn't come back for about 15-20 minutes. So now I'm ticked. I can see the precious "no-line" time in the morning (it still amazes me how slow Fantasyland is in the morning) slip-slip-slipping away. We were supposed to be heading to Frontierland to hit Aladdin's carpets before the line started to get long and NO DH! So I call. and call. and call. His cell phone kept going straight to voicemail. So I mumbled under my breath and marched off to Frontierland without him. I'm sure I looked realy pleasant to an outsider. Turns out Toon Town is one big dead zone for our phones and he had no service. Poor guy waited for my for 45 minutes before leaving TT to call me. He caught up with us in Liberty Square after the kids had ridden and met Aladdin and Jasmine, and after my apology for a nasty message on his phone and abandoning him, we ate lunch. Good thing my DH loves funnel cakes. It made my apology that much sweeter!

The "constant complainer's" thought of mine came from running into the same families on the buses to and from Pop. There were a few families who seemed to be in a constant state of unhappiness. Constantly compaining and loudly voicing how rude others were to them that day. It just made me appreciate my DH and kids and how lucky we were to be at WDW and seeing the joy in our kids faces when they rode rides or met characters. I can't wait to start planning the next trip!

 

[Elysiannn]

I've read through this thread and after having a bad visit there I think it's not about not researching enough or slowing down enough or just ignoring the irritants enough...I think it's the extreme intensity of the parks that can cause it.

They are huge, very crowded with masses of demanding human beings. Everyone wants that special spot to watch the parade or fireworks but some can't take the 2-3 hours and hold that spot plus enough room around it. Everyone wants to eat at that special spot but NOW not later or not after the twenty people in front of you.

This past trip I walked more than I've walked all year and got about 6 hours of sleep at night and was overly sweaty cause it was sunny and 95. I had to manuever around so many EVCs and strollers and masses of people I felt like I was snow skiing. I got cranky - not enough sleep, not enough peace, not enough magic. Now I've realized that in me but sadly others don't and keep the immense push onward.

It was way too crowded and too hot for me so in the future I will try and go in January and February when it is cooler and in the past has been less crowded. And if WDW becomes greatly crowded year round I won't go to WDW cause you're right you shouldn't be there and be cranky and irritated.
I don't know the answer for everyone else but I do know for me.

Ely

 

[melomouse]

Glad YOU had a good trip despite the complainers around you!!!

VERY interesting thread, BTW!

Ironically enoough, DS, DD and I are very joyous and get along better in WDW than at home sometimes!! - this despite DS(now 14) and his Asperger's - going in August, October and April, and having various and sundry friends and family members with us at times. If you had ever told me I could be in a WL room for a week with my DM and have a joyous vacation back in the olden days - I would've said you were NUTS!!

Tragedy struck my family on our very first trip to WDW. Every subsequent trip has been one of gratitude and simplicity and pausing to appreciate the little things - my kids "talking" to a jackrabbit at WL on the way to catch the boat comes to mind.

I walk around WDW like a little kid, often with a ridiculous smile on my face or tears in my eyes. A bit of gratitude, letting go of expectations, and, for me, trying NOT to look at the unenlightened ! - goes a long way!!!

 

[Ava]

I think my co-worker summed up a lot of people's feelings about WDW when he said, "You're going to Disney World on vacation? I'd need a vacation FROM that place!"