disney magic? exactly how much do we expect?

[Conservative Hippie]

People make their own magic IMO. Places like Disney can provide the setting and so on but magic is in the eyes of the beholder and certainly can't be forced.

These people are pathetic.

ITA! I spend a lot of time at WDW and I've seen guest make "magic" out of the tiniest things. I've also seen them throw fits over the tiniest thing. I bet I know who has a better vacation.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I also don't get why some people get so worked up about such little things. If my family is at Disneyworld, it means we're employed and financially healthy enough to take a vacation, and we're physically healthy enough to be there. It also means we took a plane ride all the way across the country and we're all safe and sound. We get to go on cool rides, see great shows and hang out with our favorite Disney characters. Yep, if my family is at Disneyworld then it means that life is pretty darn good. Why in the world would I care if someone puts a folded washcloth in my room? (I like to put things in perspective!)

 

[marie1203]

We do not expect anything other than clean place to stay and decent food. We have gotten lots of extra magic at Disney maybe because we have low expectations. We got an upgrade last trip, we have gotten multiple towel animals every trip, Dh got extra magic at the boardwalk games when he was trying to win something for me and just wasn't very good at the game. Disney is just magical without any of the extras.

 

[SAHDad]

We have gone and celebrated anniversaries, birthdays, etc, and while we may make a note of it on the reservations, etc, we except absolutely nothing. Anything special that we do get is an added bonus, but we understand that there is no way to make extra magic for every guest that comes into the park.

That said, on our anniversary trip, we did get some extra magic, for which we were always thankful. But we were well aware that there was no guarantee of getting anything - other than away from the kids for a few days.

 

[Dee77]

We are DVC members and with those vacations we only get housekeeping on days 4, 8 etc. For me, I don't even crack a smile those first 4 days until I see whether or not housekeeping was decent enough to leave me one of those adorable creatures out of my wash cloths. It is only right, housekeeping has all the power for me to have a good time while I am there, I don't even think they realize it.

 

[DisneyScraps]

Expect it, never

Find it, constantly...in Disney it's everywhere you look!

 

[undertheradar]

This will sound bad, but sites like Disboards have helped to destroy what used to be thought of as the Disney Magic. Expectations are higher and people demand things that others claim to receive. Towel animals, balloons, confetti, etc, if it happened, someone has posted bragging about what they received. From the posts wanting to know how much fuss over a haircut on main street to how many cookies were left in your room, people are constantly trying to outdo each other. WDW was much simpler pre-internet. Now there are searches for specific room numbers, why? We have always taken the room assigned to us and been happy. While we have had some special times at the Disney parks and resorts, it still amazes me how people need to commando the parks, meals, shows, etc. Instead of relaxing and enjoying everything at a nice leisurely pace, families are hellbent on "getting their money's worth." even if it means impacting the vacations of others.

 

[disneyismyname]

We don't "expect" anything. IF we get a little magic, it's unexpected but appreciated!

Disney IS magic. We enjoy going there so much, and the things that stand out are the memories we make as a family.

People who expect stuff and then get disappointed when they don't get it deserve their disappointment.

Agreed!

My first trip to Disney was a few years back when I was 21 years old. I had a first trip to Disney pin on me all the time and all the CM thanked me and were happy to see me on my first trip. I don't expect anything and I would rather they give their pixie dust to someone's children.

 

[eliza61]

This will sound bad, but sites like Disboards have helped to destroy what used to be thought of as the Disney Magic. Expectations are higher and people demand things that others claim to receive. Towel animals, balloons, confetti, etc, if it happened, someone has posted bragging about what they received. From the posts wanting to know how much fuss over a haircut on main street to how many cookies were left in your room, people are constantly trying to outdo each other. WDW was much simpler pre-internet. Now there are searches for specific room numbers, why? We have always taken the room assigned to us and been happy. While we have had some special times at the Disney parks and resorts, it still amazes me how people need to commando the parks, meals, shows, etc. Instead of relaxing and enjoying everything at a nice leisurely pace, families are hellbent on "getting their money's worth." even if it means impacting the vacations of others.

You've got a good point.

One of the questions we get here all the time that make me cringe "It's my birthday, anniversary, graduation, fill in the blank, what will disney do for me"?

 

[Stitchfans]

We don't "expect" anything. IF we get a little magic, it's unexpected but appreciated!

Disney IS magic. We enjoy going there so much, and the things that stand out are the memories we make as a family.

People who expect stuff and then get disappointed when they don't get it deserve their disappointment.

I'm another one who agrees with this person.

 

[Mkrop]

We dont expect anything but good customer service, other than that any other magic, towel animals included is a bonus.

I think the internet has helped those with entitlement issues already.

 

[3smithboys]

People ask me why we always go back to Disney for our vacations... the answer is simple.... we know what to expect each and every time we go, and we are never disappointed! We know that we are going to have a wonderful time whether we are in the parks, water parks, or on a Disney cruise. We also know that will get great service at the resort and at all of the restaurants (even if the food isn't 5 star - I'm not cooking!!!)

Sure, we may have run into a grumpy CM or a surly guest from time to time, but we don't let it spoil our vacation!!! That's what we "expect" when we are on vacation...and we haven't been disappointed yet!

 

[Nancy]

We don't "expect" anything. IF we get a little magic, it's unexpected but appreciated!

Disney IS magic. We enjoy going there so much, and the things that stand out are the memories we make as a family.

People who expect stuff and then get disappointed when they don't get it deserve their disappointment.

Exactly. Up until last year when we finally bought DVC our trips were few and far between. We were thrilled to just be there. I spend more time grinning like a little kid from the time we get there until it's time to go back home than I do at any other time. I don't expect or want someone to make it special for me..just being there is special enough.

This will sound bad, but sites like Disboards have helped to destroy what used to be thought of as the Disney Magic. Expectations are higher and people demand things that others claim to receive. Towel animals, balloons, confetti, etc, if it happened, someone has posted bragging about what they received. From the posts wanting to know how much fuss over a haircut on main street to how many cookies were left in your room, people are constantly trying to outdo each other. WDW was much simpler pre-internet. Now there are searches for specific room numbers, why? We have always taken the room assigned to us and been happy. While we have had some special times at the Disney parks and resorts, it still amazes me how people need to commando the parks, meals, shows, etc. Instead of relaxing and enjoying everything at a nice leisurely pace, families are hellbent on "getting their money's worth." even if it means impacting the vacations of others.

I so agree with you. While it's great that there is so much information available I think some of it just makes me feel that if XYZ doesn't happen then my trip is ruined. Or if I don't get room 123 I'll be so disappointed and my trip will be ruined. Or, DXxxx didn't get a free ??? on his/her <insert celebration here> and he/she was so upset it just ruined their whole trip. I think we have all read things pretty similar on here.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I "expect" Disney magic--but I ALWAYS "expect" Disney to determine when and where and how they wish to be magical. It seems many expect "magic" to be material. When I was a child, it was never material--it was just something that was in the air. The smells on main street, the specialness of the fireworks, the themed rides, the concealed "behind the scenes"--all of that! that is the magic.

So I expect that magic when I go--but the day I expect some material object is the day that I owe Disney an apology for becoming too entitled to be able to enjoy the REAL magic of Disney.

 

[Morganpics]

We don't "expect" anything. IF we get a little magic, it's unexpected but appreciated!

Disney IS magic. We enjoy going there so much, and the things that stand out are the memories we make as a family.

People who expect stuff and then get disappointed when they don't get it deserve their disappointment.

Couldn't have said it any better. Especially the "Disney IS magic"

 

[cm8]

I also don't get why some people get so worked up about such little things. If my family is at Disneyworld, it means we're employed and financially healthy enough to take a vacation, and we're physically healthy enough to be there. It also means we took a plane ride all the way across the country and we're all safe and sound. We get to go on cool rides, see great shows and hang out with our favorite Disney characters. Yep, if my family is at Disneyworld then it means that life is pretty darn good. Why in the world would I care if someone puts a folded washcloth in my room? (I like to put things in perspective!)

 

[Talking Hands]

I love it if I get towel animals but certainly don't expect them. If I expected them they wouldn't be as special.
As far as being acknowledged if I have a birthday pin. It is nice but I have more fun wishing others Happy Birthday and such.

 

[ALittleDisneyFan]

Like many others.. I have no expectations. I feel blessed enough to be in WDW enjoying time with DD.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I agree that sometimes places like the DIS can spoil the magic. It does seem that people now tend to expect certain things because they have read about them on the DIS. To me, things are more magical when they are unexpected. I'll never forget my first towel animal....I had accidentally left my silver angel necklace on the nightstand when we left the room in the morning. I worried about it all day...It was only about $25, but is priceless sentimentally. When we got back to the room that night, there on the nightstand was an angel towel animal wearing my angel necklace. It brought tears to my eyes and was the first towel animal I had ever gotten, and this was about my 10th trip to Disney. We saw the Mousekeeper in the hall the next morning, and I told her how cool it was....that I had worried about leaving it, and I think that made her day too, to know the magic she created was appreciated. She also left my DS a birthday cake towel animal one afternoon when we were at the pool...she must have seen his birthday button in the room.

I also think you have to make your own magic sometimes. It seems like the past couple of trips, I have seen more and more grumpy people who expect the world. It is nice to just smile and say thank you to a CM who you can tell is having a rough day. As others have said, Disney itself IS magic, and just being there is a gift.

 

[kaytieeldr]

So when you go to the world, how much do you expect the extra magic? and how are your vacations if you get exactly the basic (room, rides, restaurants, etc).

Well, quite naturally, I expect to have all available Cast Members lead as many guests as possible in a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday... every time the fireworks are cancelled at the last possible minute on my 50th birthday Hey, it happened once, there's no reason I shouldn't expect the same conditions/magic again, is there?

Tip to the people who "must" have towel animal: learn to make them yourselves. Some are easier than others. I wanted a towel animal a few years back, and I don't feel my tip is for that (it's for cleaning my room), so I found instructions online, brought a beach towel, and had an admittedly floppy but very colorful swan on my windowsill.