Bored at Disney Parks

[KingLlama]

I was thinking this morning about boredom(can you tell I was bored?). And specifically, I was thinking about how because of technology, we're trying, whether consciously or subconsciously, to create a boredom-free world. Because most of us have computers in our hands, formerly boring things like waiting in line, sitting through a class, or even long road trips(as long as you're not driving) aren't as boring as they used to be.

Disney World has done a remarkable job of alleviating boredom in its parks by making enhanced queues that engage the guest from the time they start waiting until the time they board the ride.

But....are there still times you're bored at WDW or Disneyland? Whether it's a certain show, ride, queue, or other experience on property, is there a time when you find yourself bored? Even when there's nothing *happening*, the sensory overload and people-watching keep me from being truly bored. I guess the closest I come to being bored is Universe of Energy, only because it's such a long experience.

Sorry if this is a weird thread. I was bored.

 

[MikeTaylor]

If you're in a large group, often times, you'll be waiting for everyone to show up to get to the place where you're scheduled to go.

 

[loves to dive]

Sometimes if I'm solo and eating at a TS, waiting for my server to come and take my order. I always have my kindle ap on my phone but I think it's rude to have it in my face before they take my order so I don't usually open it until after. Otherwise, nope, I love just taking in all the detail and can sit for a hour and just look and people watch.

 

[MarbleBob]

I think that's one of the reason why I love Disney so much... I don't get particularly bored there, ever. Even when I'm waiting to wait some more. So much interesting stuff to see and hear everywhere.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

UoE was the first thing I thought of with boredom. It's not a must do every trip for us, but the attraction has two big positive nostalgia draws for me...so I push through the boredom towards the end (some trips) to get the nostalgia fixes at the beginning.

It's funny though...I think my camera has become my boredom remedy. Instead of burying my head in tablet or phone...I take pictures to pass the time (well, at least some of it). The kids don't bring their own devices into the parks, so that slow time waiting in lines or waiting for food to be served is really just us interacting/chatting with each other (checking out little details, people watching, talking about stuff we've done or will do) during the wait and using that photo aspect to capture those moments as well.

 

[disneyseniors]

Ho, Hum, "I'm bored, Mommy, I'm bored". I heard this a lot when my kids were little. I said to them, then go find something to do, read, go outside and play, make something, visit a friend, do Something. I don't want to hear "I'm bored" at all. Guess what, it worked for my kids.
So, I guess the same advice to any adult who says the same thing. Guess I'm older and don't have much patience with "I'm bored". The world does not owe anyone constant activities, etc.
So, no, I don't get "bored" at Disney. I wait in line, actually have conversations with interesting people waiting in line, look at all the beautiful, interesting sights at WDW, notice all the little ones who are in awe of Disney with their smiles, people watch, just take in the atmosphere that we paid so much for.
Sorry about the rant, but I never liked it when the kids said that, and I guess I think if people are bored, then that's what they want to be. There is much to see and do, even without the constant stimulation of ipads, phones, etc. I think technology has developed this generation who wants to constantly be in touch, constantly with a device in their faces. Put down the devices, even for a few hours, and look around and see the world in REAL time.
Go ahead, flame away just my thoughts.

 

[squeezle]

The only time I feel truly bored is when we are in the room to "rest." I know I need rest, I know I should rest, I know I could do do much more later in the day if I did rest, but I DON'T WANT TO! I know what's out there waiting for me and the room is just so boring.

 

[Irish_Mike]

I wouldn't say I got bored of going to the Disney parks on my days off, but I definitely took a more leisurely and lazy approach. I didn't rush from ride to ride, and if I missed one of my fastpasses, so be it. There would be days when I would just go in just walk, try a new snack, or just people watch.

So no, I've never found myself bored of the parks. Some the rides might get a bit redundant after 50 times, but that's an entirely different thing.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Ho, Hum, "I'm bored, Mommy, I'm bored". I heard this a lot when my kids were little. I said to them, then go find something to do, read, go outside and play, make something, visit a friend, do Something. I don't want to hear "I'm bored" at all. Guess what, it worked for my kids.
So, I guess the same advice to any adult who says the same thing. Guess I'm older and don't have much patience with "I'm bored". The world does not owe anyone constant activities, etc.
So, no, I don't get "bored" at Disney. I wait in line, actually have conversations with interesting people waiting in line, look at all the beautiful, interesting sights at WDW, notice all the little ones who are in awe of Disney with their smiles, people watch, just take in the atmosphere that we paid so much for.
Sorry about the rant, but I never liked it when the kids said that, and I guess I think if people are bored, then that's what they want to be. There is much to see and do, even without the constant stimulation of ipads, phones, etc. I think technology has developed this generation who wants to constantly be in touch, constantly with a device in their faces. Put down the devices, even for a few hours, and look around and see the world in REAL time.
Go ahead, flame away just my thoughts.

We have the same conversation with our kids expect my wife usually starts it with "well, I am your mother, not your cruise director so go figure out something to do"

 

[BigAlsGal]

Never bored at Disney!

 

[NuttyDisneyDad]

I get bored in the bathrooms

 

[pjweaver]

Bored? No
Irritated is more like it. I don't like crowd, or people in general. I dislike people who pay $90 to go to WDW and bury their nose into their phone to change their status. I can't stand tour groups that aren't all in line at the same time and need to push me over to get with their friends.

My rant could go on for hours. I just heard you order your food in English so don't pretend you don't understand me. Do you want to know why Disney need metal detectors? Me.

So no, I am never bored. Anger consumes most of my waking hours.

 

[PainInIL]

Bored? No
Irritated is more like it. I don't like crowd, or people in general. I dislike people who pay $90 to go to WDW and bury their nose into their phone to change their status. I can't stand tour groups that aren't all in line at the same time and need to push me over to get with their friends.

My rant could go on for hours. I just heard you order your food in English so don't pretend you don't understand me. Do you want to know why Disney need metal detectors? Me.

So no, I am never bored. Anger consumes most of my waking hours.

Hold on... are you saying you want to bring a gun into the parks because they may you so angry? Why are you letting what other people do bother you so much? You're there for vacation, relax and enjoy it!

 

[pjweaver]

Hold on... are you saying you want to bring a gun into the parks because they may you so angry? Why are you letting what other people do bother you so much? You're there for vacation, relax and enjoy it!

Have you seen Lewis Black? That's me on a good day with proper medication.

edt: I never said anything about bringing a gun into a park

 

[Princess Jes]

Hold on... are you saying you want to bring a gun into the parks because they may you so angry? Why are you letting what other people do bother you so much? You're there for vacation, relax and enjoy it!

You obviously haven't experienced PJ around here much.
He's alright! Besides, he hides his weapons in the bushes out the front

EDIT: I'm kidding!

 

[Tom P.]

I wouldn't worry about PJ bringing in weapons. I would work about King Llama. He *is* a weapon.

 

[disneysteve]

I'm not sure if bored is exactly the right word but sometimes toward the end of our trip when we're walking through a park for the 2nd or, more commonly, 3rd or 4th time, I'll hit a point where I'm just done with it. I've had my fill. I don't feel any great desire to ride anything else or repeat anything I've already done that trip. I've already browsed all of the shops. I just feel like there's nothing else there that I want to do until next time. So I guess it's some combination of bored/satisfied/content/complete if that makes sense.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

I'm not sure if bored is exactly the right word but sometimes toward the end of our trip when we're walking through a park for the 2nd or, more commonly, 3rd or 4th time, I'll hit a point where I'm just done with it. I've had my fill. I don't feel any great desire to ride anything else or repeat anything I've already done that trip. I've already browsed all of the shops. I just feel like there's nothing else there that I want to do until next time. So I guess it's some combination of bored/satisfied/content/complete if that makes sense.

Makes perfect sense, Steve - and you verbalized something I've felt (mostly on longer or more frequent trips) and wondered how to put it into words without sounding ungrateful or something, and wondered if anybody else had ever felt the same way. Now of course I'm paying for feeling like that - not having been in over 3 years, and no idea when my next rip will be. Karma's a blip!

 

[soniam]

The only time that I get truly bored is waiting at the deli counter at the grocery store. There usually isn't much new to look at, since I go there every week. I don't like to get on my phone or kindle, since I could be called up at any minute. Sometimes, I do small yoga movements or try balancing on one foot.

I hate when DS says he's bored. He did that at Marrakesh a couple of weeks ago. I pointed out the musicians, the belly dancer, and the architecture, but he scoffed. So, I told them that he could just sit there being bored then. I blame electronics.

 

[KingLlama]

I wouldn't worry about PJ bringing in weapons. I would work about King Llama. He *is* a weapon.

A weapon of mass disappointment.