Disney is first and foremost about kids...

[ThreeBeans]

Uh, no. Two wrongs don't make a right. Both participants in that little contretemps were acting way below their actual age.

Not at all. A strange man acted physically aggressive toward me completely unprovoked, and, like most bullies, backed down when he realized that his target wasn't alone. My husband did absolutely nothing wrong.


I know it's common on the Dis to try to stir up drama and target people, but let's just say that, on the internet, as in real life, I don't think much of those people, or give much heed to bullies. Eat a dole whip and good day!

 

[purpledisneyprncess]

I think Disney is for everyone (who has the cash), but I hate when people acutaly complain about kids. Adults can go pretty much anywhere in the world to travel. Kids don't have as much options. It is THE place where they are welcomed with open arms.

So when I read complains about kids in Disney, yes, I tell the people to go somewhere else if they don't want to be around kids.

And yes, I went to Disney without kids.

That's a really good point!! Kids really don't have as many vacation options as adults and IMO is the best vacation spot for them! In the same token, I also think Disney is for ALL ages. It is for the kids at heart, whether it be age 3 or age 93!! ) My family & I were in line for a Character meet and greet and there were two ladies behind us, no kids with them..they were there to meet Mickey. I thought that was totally cool!

I also "believe" in the spirit/magic of Santa, Easter Bunny, etc. And now that I have kids, it is fun to enjoy all of it through their eyes. What's so magical about Disneyworld is that you do feel like a kid again-- pure happiness and fun!!

But, to the OP- you're right, Disneyworld is clearly not just for children.

 

[smidgy]

No matter if you want to go without kids or not, Disney IS first and foremost about kids..

this is just not true. It's about anyone who wants to spend the money to enjoy it, whatever the age.

 

[smidgy]

I agree with the other poster who said adults making out, cursing, and getting drunk in DW is inappropriate.

I agree with you on the cursing part. but we are in our upper 50's and if hubby and I want to "make out", we will. (no, not petting, or anything, but we will kiss and smooch, etc.).
and everyone has their own opinion of "drunk". the legal limit for driving is.08. does that mean anything over that is drunk? if you are not driving?

I work hard. when I am on vacation, and NOT driving, I WILL enjoy adult beverages, and I will most likely be over .08.. as long as I behave in a legal manner, it is no one's business if I purchase $9.00 maragaritas and grand marnier slushis and sakes. it is definitely appropriate, actually encouraged.

 

[smidgy]

The problem with your line of thinking is that you believe that adults on their own would do the same activities as they would with kids. We don't.

I have never stood in line for a character. Like others have said, we know it is a college kid in a suit. We don't ride "It's a small world", either. In fact, Magic Kingdom is our least favorite park of the four. Too many kids, strollers, people and kid-related attractions for our liking.

We like to enjoy the rides. In our last visit we rode Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Rockin' Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, Test Track and Soarin'. All in one day. No strollers to have to deal with. No nap schedule. Near the end of the day we "Drank Around the World" at Epcot and enjoyed a nice steak dinner at Le Cellier.

It was a very enjoyable time.

this just proves that WDW is for adults as well as kids. even we adults who go sans children tour differently.. It's a small world is a MUST for me! and hubby and I have been about 20 times, just us 2, and Mk and epcot vie for the position of our favorite park.. we LOVE magic kingdom!!!
we don't have a nap schedule, but we liek to nap!

we also love the dinners, the cocktails, the fireworks,etc. we love it all.

 

[stargazertechie]

Not at all. A strange man acted physically aggressive toward me completely unprovoked

I'm pretty sure that taking a photograph is not being "physically aggressive" You were not in any sort of imminent danger.

The man was disruptive and ruined your enjoyment of the ride.
Your husband "chewed this guy into a pulp" until the guy's wife looked like she wanted to dive off of the boat. Pretty sure that ruined HER enjoyment of the ride.


As far as I can tell, two men both ruined the ride experience for two women, and probably for anyone else who was in the boat at the time.

 

[LucyBC80]

I don't get it, what is so strange about an adult meeting characters?!

I'm pretty sure all adults know “the truth” about the characters they are meeting, hugging, taking pictures with. But I'm not meeting a dude dressed as Donald, Snow White or Peter Pan, I'm meeting the avatar of one of my fondest memories as a little girl. So because the kid me happens to be 5'6, has a job and responsibilities she shouldn't be allowed to have her dreams full filled? I call bull fertilizer.

If you uncomfortable with adults suspending their beliefs and enjoying their time whatever way they please, just look the other way, go have an ice cream or do what pleases you but don't go raining on others parade looking at them like they are nuts.

Posted from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[MissStitch626]

You know when you're too old to hug Mickey, greet the princesses or ride Dumbo? When you're dead!

This might be my favourite quote on the Disboards ever

The way I see it, WDW can be, and should be, enjoyed by anyone with imagination and a sense of fun, regardless of their age or any other factor that doesn't really have anything to do with the level of enjoyment they will get out of these parks.

As for meeting characters as an adult - I've done if before, and if I feel like it, I will probably do it again. Why? Because I can, and it's fun. Of course I know the 'truth' but then again I'm pretty sure I'm not on a real runaway train on BTMRR, or a real space rocket on Space Mountain, and I'm almost certain that's not a real Yeti on EE. It's fun for a few minutes to pretend that they are.

 

[RedfromNL]

We are two adults just in our forties and yes we love Disneyworld. There will be a lot of kids around: no problem. Only issue? Like anywhere else really, when they run amok and mummy and daddy let them. We have rights too you know

And yes we've had pictures taken with characters, we don't stand in line long for it (we don't want to wait that long) but if the opportunity is there we'll take it.

Why not?

We're kids too, just a little older chronologically then some of the others

It's a place for all to have fun, whatever you like or don't like. Just do what you want (within legal limits and common decency of course)and ignore any partypoopers who feel it's not proper for anyone over 12 to ride small world, the caroussel or get a picture with Donald Duck.

 

[RedfromNL]

When my 2 years old can't stand it anymore, her father or I take her hand and we "stroll" around the restaurent. She doesn't go under tables or anything like that, she just exercices her legs and say hello to people. It's either that or she screams her head off. We rather make her walk.

So, I guess I'm a bad parent because my kid can't stand sit quietly on a chair for 2 hours straight.

To me that'd make you a good parent: someone who knows her childs limits and needs and acts upon them. Plus you take care and consider the other guests. Great!

I have no kids, no desire to have kids either, but I like the trust of those little ones who happily go hello'ing everyone. She'd get a hello from me

 

[Sugardimples]

I'm pretty sure that taking a photograph is not being "physically aggressive" You were not in any sort of imminent danger.

The man was disruptive and ruined your enjoyment of the ride.
Your husband "chewed this guy into a pulp" until the guy's wife looked like she wanted to dive off of the boat. Pretty sure that ruined HER enjoyment of the ride.


As far as I can tell, two men both ruined the ride experience for two women, and probably for anyone else who was in the boat at the time.

Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself or for someone else. Bullies depend on people not standing up for themselves. When the guy with the camera shot it in her face, he was being deliberately aggressive and was being a bully.

Sometimes you gotta stand for something.

 

[dominiondad]

Unless the ride prohibits photography, I'm not sure what the cameraman was doing wrong. It might be annoying to have somebody take pictures around you, but unless you've reserved WDW for a private event, that's not an unexpected thing to have happen. This circles back to the original OP's point - enjoy your vacation. If you want to judge others and insist they conduct their lives just as you would, go to law school and become a judge. My family likely doing things different than you. Maybe because of tradition, maybe because of need, or maybe because of something that's none of your business. I don't take a lot of pictures. However, if my family was at WDW through the Make A Wish program, you can bet I'd be burning through a lot of memory cards. We are the sum of our experiences, and all of our experiences are different. Quit judging, quit worrying about why others aren't following your path, and have a great time. Or be miserable, I don't care.

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

Not at all. A strange man acted physically aggressive toward me completely unprovoked, and, like most bullies, backed down when he realized that his target wasn't alone. My husband did absolutely nothing wrong.


I know it's common on the Dis to try to stir up drama and target people, but let's just say that, on the internet, as in real life, I don't think much of those people, or give much heed to bullies. Eat a dole whip and good day!

 

[TeresaWen]

I agree with this. We have a trip planned for this fall and I'm excited about it but if we didn't have a 5 year old, my husband and I would be going somewhere else for vacation (we also have a daughter in college who won't be going with us this trip). The magic of WDW for me is watching the joy and wonder on the faces of my children. That is the best part for me and always will be. I understand that others feel differently and I respect that. I do, however, wonder about those who wish to treat the destination as an adult destination. It's not. As the previous poster stated, it's a place for "kids of all ages" so I think it's completely unreasonable not to expect just that. Again as the previous poster said, this means you have to expect the strollers and the excited kids, the teens, and the behaviors that are a part of all that. If you want a kid free vacation spot, there are tons of other places.

And I know this is going to be terribly unpopular but I'll say it anyway. I don't understand adults standing in line to see characters. My daughter doesn't know they are college kids in costumes but I do and I really don't have a need to "meet" them or to get an "autograph". Again, I know many here will disagree and that's fine with me. Everyone is free to do as they please. I just don't understand what's so great about it for adults that they will wait in lines to do it. A quick picture at a meal or something as a fun souvenir picture, sure, but standing in lines, I don't get it. Nonetheless, I respect anyone's right to do it and would never expect my child to have preference to see the characters. It does puzzle me though.

Well I have waited in line for up to 30 minutes to get autographs. Last December I saw every princess in EPCOT to get signatures for my 5 year old goddaughter back home. I took pictures of me with them waving to her and there was NO way I was going to give up my spot in line for anyone else.

If you want to make sure you can get to see a princess, get there early and line up like I did.

 

[juliebug1997]

I agree with this. We have a trip planned for this fall and I'm excited about it but if we didn't have a 5 year old, my husband and I would be going somewhere else for vacation (we also have a daughter in college who won't be going with us this trip). The magic of WDW for me is watching the joy and wonder on the faces of my children. That is the best part for me and always will be. I understand that others feel differently and I respect that. I do, however, wonder about those who wish to treat the destination as an adult destination. It's not. As the previous poster stated, it's a place for "kids of all ages" so I think it's completely unreasonable not to expect just that. Again as the previous poster said, this means you have to expect the strollers and the excited kids, the teens, and the behaviors that are a part of all that. If you want a kid free vacation spot, there are tons of other places.

And I know this is going to be terribly unpopular but I'll say it anyway. I don't understand adults standing in line to see characters. My daughter doesn't know they are college kids in costumes but I do and I really don't have a need to "meet" them or to get an "autograph". Again, I know many here will disagree and that's fine with me. Everyone is free to do as they please. I just don't understand what's so great about it for adults that they will wait in lines to do it. A quick picture at a meal or something as a fun souvenir picture, sure, but standing in lines, I don't get it. Nonetheless, I respect anyone's right to do it and would never expect my child to have preference to see the characters. It does puzzle me though.

Wow, just wow. So because I can't have children and have put my plans on hold to adopt because breast cancer found me, I shouldn't try enjoy life by meeting Donald Duck? You say you don't judge, but yet you put it here.

And as to why I liked to meet characters before my life took this unexpected turn....
My family was lower middle class where every week was a struggle. I got to go twice as a child and my brother got to go once. When we went in the late 70s and mid 80s, character meet and greets didn't exist to this level. Neither my brother nor I actually remember seeing characters out, although maybe Goofy (my parents couldn't remember either). I couldn't afford to go back myself until I was well into my 30s and, until Disney tells childless adult couples and children over the age of 12 that they can't get in line to visit with characters, then I'll keep doing it. I took my brother back with me after our mother passed away in 2010 and even my 28 year old brother had the best time meeting princesses and other characters that we saw in movies. And I really don't care if you judge me for it because I'm probably judging you for something you're doing too.

 

[NicPie]

I agree with you on the cursing part. but we are in our upper 50's and if hubby and I want to "make out", we will. (no, not petting, or anything, but we will kiss and smooch, etc.).
and everyone has their own opinion of "drunk". the legal limit for driving is.08. does that mean anything over that is drunk? if you are not driving?

I work hard. when I am on vacation, and NOT driving, I WILL enjoy adult beverages, and I will most likely be over .08.. as long as I behave in a legal manner, it is no one's business if I purchase $9.00 maragaritas and grand marnier slushis and sakes. it is definitely appropriate, actually encouraged.

Making out is def not just kissing.. some people get obnoxious about it and it gets nasty. Kids don't need to be seeing that.

As far as drinking.. nobody said people shouldn't have any drinks. Obviously it's all well and good to have whatever you want. But some people have addiction issues and they don't care about the outcome. They shouldn't be making a scene in a place where there are young children all over the place.

 

[Patience]

Well I have waited in line for up to 30 minutes to get autographs. Last December I saw every princess in EPCOT to get signatures for my 5 year old goddaughter back home. I took pictures of me with them waving to her and there was NO way I was going to give up my spot in line for anyone else.

If you want to make sure you can get to see a princess, get there early and line up like I did.

Oh, we do line up and, as I said in my original post, I don't expect an adult to let my child in front of her or him. I understand that everyone has the right to be in that line and I absolutely don't expect special consideration for my daughter just because she is a child. I would never ask anyone to let my child go in front of them or give up their spot. I just said I didn't understand an adult wanting to stand in line to meet characters and get autographs but I meant that in the general sense. It wouldn't be fun for me but different strokes for different folks and all that. I can understand that you had a specific reason for wanting to do it relating to your godchild.

 

[Granny square]

Flash pictures on dark rides are rude and ruin the experience of others. Like talking during shows. I wouldn't start a fight over it though.

I hate the meet and greets. I miss the spontaneous meetings. :/. But if someone of any age wants to stand in line and get a photo or autograph all the more power to them.

 

[Camno's Mama]

Ok, so I totally understand why adults go to Disney without kids. I love Disney. I have been and will go again without kids. Go for it.

That being said, why are so many adults so judgemental about the adults that do bring their kids? I see it on here all of the time. That we don't "control" our kids well enough. That we don't "teach them to behave in public". That we yell too much. That we don't yell enough. Leave the strollers at home. Ugh. It's disgusting.

My kids know how to behave in public. They know right from wrong. We talk about it all of the time. But Disney isn't like any other place. It's constant stimulation, a break from their normal routine...they are totally out of their element. We are doing our very best. They're kids...not mini adults and they are still learning.

Give us a break, and we won't make fun of you for standing in line to see the characters. (Honestly, why does anyone care if adults stand in line to see characters. It's their vacation...some people like football, some people like fancy restaurants, some people like Disney.) I know it's just the internet and we don't know each other, but really.

 

[karly05]

I'm an adult with no kids who loves WDW, rides Small World, meets characters... There was a lengthy thread somewhere on here a while back about "why do adults stand in line for characters?" Yeah, sure, we know, but when you love Disney movies and shows and characters, who better to gush about that with but the characters, themselves? My most important television appointment of any week is a new episode of "Phineas and Ferb," so no way was I not going to go meet the boys! "Up" is one of my favorite movies of any kind ever, so you'd better believe I'm standing in line to meet Dug and Russell.

It's already been said many ways in this thread, but Disney is for anyone who is a kid at heart.