Disney World Orlando is beginning to disappoint me

[Cannonrusj]

Note: This is not a hate thread, I do like disney world.

I live in California and go to Disneyland california about 6 times a year. I really enjoy disneyland and it's quality. It is also not too far away. About once every 3 years I like to spend the money to fly out to disney world and stay a week or more.

I like to do this because I understand disneyland is a bit limited in its size and doesn't have much area to expand to, but disney world is supposed to be disney's ultimate park/resort. I go to disney world to see what disney can do when they are not limited by disneyland's issues. I've been to disney world on vacation about 6 times now

Here is the issue I'm having. Each time I go I find the Disney world parks to have little/no enhancement. At the same time I am seeing that most attractions in all 4 parks are also at disneyland's 2 parks (which are 100 feet away from each other).

I want to believe that disney world has more to offer, and that's why I need to hop on the bus from park to park. I actually want it to be better, so I have something to look forward to every couple of years when I need a break from the California park. This last trip though really has been bothering me unfortunately.

The magic kingdom's new fantasyland is nice. The mine train is great. I do appreciate that. Everything else is old news unfortunately. We went into the little mermaid hoping it was some altered/ version of the California version, but it was the exact same thing. At least Florida has it too now. Magic kingdom''s space mountain is really in need of a new track.

Epcot is such a disappointment when I find they have added almost nothing. Frozen will be nice, but future land is seriously disappointing. When we go to epcot we go mostly for the world showcase.

Animal kingdom and Hollywood studios seem to have the same problem. They put 2 or 3 good attractions in the park and never really added more. The parks look nice. The few rides are good, but the parks feel a bit empty and there are little to no major additions.

I do not mean to make this a disneyland vs disney world post. However, matterhorn (not as good as expedition everest), tower of terror, and a Rollercoaster similar to Aerosmith, and star tours, and bugs life, are all placed inside the 2 parks. Disney world feels like disneyland spread out. I really don't want this to be the case, because I'm running low on reasons to travel back to Orlando to see another one of disney''s parks. I will probably take a small break from Disney world to give it time to grow. Perhaps in 3 or 4 years it's younger parks might fill in a little more.

 

[pampam]

I't been a good many years since I was at Disneyland, but I can understand what you are saying. I realize the money in the east is going to resorts, Disney Springs and the MM experience with FP+ and MBs, but I tend to believe that it is the parks that bring in people, so I wish more money was spent on developing the 4 parks.

 

[eliza61]

I hope you have your flame suit on. This is not a friendly site when you do not absolutely swear to love, honor and obey the mouse world.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Yep, but they are raising prices. It's why I am taking a break for the next few years. They need something to draw me back. (And unlike the OP I am not happy about Fantasyland expanding into the World Showcase)

 

[Karin1984]

If you live on the West coast, how about using the money you save for Disney World to fly across the Pacific and take a look at Disney Tokyo or Hong Kong and in the future Shanghai? Or maybe Paris?

Each park has its charm, but also its drawbacks.

 

[GPC0321]

OP, there's nothing wrong with deciding WDW isn't worth the effort when you've got Disneyland close by. Get your Disney fix there and spend money elsewhere if you get the urge.
If you're determined to visit WDW anyway, though I'm not sure why you would, then plan to concentrate on the things there that are unique to WDW. If those things aren't enough to justify traveling across the country, then don't.
I live on the east coast and I have no burning desire to fly to California to visit Disneyland when I can drive ten hours south to visit WDW.
I have to add that again, this is a case of someone visiting the parks so frequently that the shine is sort of rubbed off. If you went less often, you might rediscover the "magic" each time.
DTD/Springs is doubling in size, HS is adding Star Wars and Toy Story lands, AK is adding Avatar land and the nighttime spectacular, Epcot is adding the Frozen ride, and MK has the new Fantasyland.
That's a great deal of change, IMO.
But if those things don't interest you, stick closer to home. I would.

 

[anniemae]

I love all the changes that are coming down the road and can't wait to experience them. Problem is, I will probably be 90 when all is said and done!

Now calm down everyone, I know these things take time but honestly, it seems Disney draaaaaaaaaaags things out and other theme parks do things much quicker.

 

[dixiegirl]

OP - Since you have Disneyland so close, maybe take a break from WDW for a few years? It will give you time to miss some elements of the existing parks/attractions and will allow you to truly appreciate the changes that are coming!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I tend to agree with you regarding the repetition of rides in both parks. That being said, WDW is more of a "long-stay" vacation destination with more recreational activities offered than DL. You can see this reflected in their ticket structures as well - WDW has longer ticket options along with water park and other recreational add-ons. When we go to DL (which isn't often as we live in CT). I like to focus on the things DL offers that WDW does not and there is plenty! Different shows, different rides, restaurants, etc.

If you need your Disney fix and want to fly to Orlando, perhaps focus on the different things WDW has to offer or even consider adding on a DCL cruise out of Port Canaveral?!

 

[PantherPete]

From a pure ride/attraction perspective, there are many better places to go. Many of the Cedar Fair parks pretty much blow Disney away on a ride basis. So does Universal. Want a great water ride, Disney's got one. Universal - they have 3. Want roller coasters, 3 of the 4 Disney parks has a good one. Cedar Point has > 10 that are all better than what Disney has. But, IMO, you don't go to Disney for the rides. You go for the Disney experience. That is why I prefer to stay onsite. I want to be immersed in the world of Disney and (hopefully) forget the world that I came from while I'm there. And while Universal is a really great place and experience, it doesn't quite compare to the world that Disney has created in Orlando. But I totally see the point regarding DL vs WDW. All the same rides pretty much and consolidated into 2 parks instead of 4.

 

[Spoiledraf]

I agree with OP. We were planning a large family trip for next year but I'm just not seeing the draw anymore. The prices keep climbing and the crowds keep growing and the park really hasn't added enough in the last ten years to make it worth the $20,000 it wound take for all of us to go for only five days.

I'm not getting any younger and I refuse to ever get a power car to do the parks so I hope they get some serious new attractions finished that I and my family will be interested in soon. I want to have a little spark to draw me back but quite frankly I'm frustrated with all the frustrated people in the parks who can't get fast passes, can't get dining reservations and the hour and a half it takes to get out of some parks and back to your resort. (My 38 year old son refuses to ever go back because of that one!)

 

[disneypanda11]

I can definitely understand the sentiment of want to experience something "new" with each trip. Perhaps as others have said, consider taking a WDW break for a bit while they work to develop some of the new expansions they have planned.

Or, consider trying some off the beaten path type of activities. For example, we've added in things like tours (we did a segway tour which sadly is not offered in Epcot anymore but there are plenty more to choose from), water sports (parasailing at the CR was not quite my thing, but still fun!), the spa (Senses is beautiful), new restaurants, new hotel, etc. just to mix things up.

If you haven't experienced a certain season or seasonal attraction (Flower & Garden, Food & Wine, Halloween, Christmas, etc.) try visiting then to have an experience different than your previous trips.

The first few trips, we stuck to the parks and only the parks, but we found ourselves torn between wanting to go back and wanting to try something "new". We were pleasantly surprised by just how many things WDW offers to fit that bill, and by shaking each trip up, we really do feel like we see a different angle of WDW each time we visit.

 

[ladyelizabeth]

I can totally understand your feelings on WDW. It seems that WDW is going through some growing pains. I love it, but I'm taking some time away from the parks and saving up some money for the 50th anniversary - I have high hopes of this celebration in Orlando. I'm also saving money to finally make it out to California and see Disneyland!

As for traveling back to Orlando - why not give Universal a try? It's a different experience, but I think it is definitely worth it. The immersive and detailed experience of the Harry Potter lands are worth it in my opinion alone. And there are some fantastic rides in addition to that. The hotels at Universal are really top notch. I do love the hotels at Disney, but I do sometimes feel I get more bang for my buck at Universal (the Express Passes at the Deluxe resorts alone). Also everything is a lot more compact and easier to get around at Universal, meaning you end up not spending as much time using transportation.

 

[sukhakuli]

We're also Disneyland locals, and recently came back from a 2 week stay at WDW. I see what you're saying. We like to go to WDW because (previously) it always felt more like a vacation. Disneyland just has too many locals there for the day to feel that way (and that includes us!). Maybe because Disneyland has so many locals, they have to stay on their toes more, and constantly revamp the parks?

 

[Pakey]

I understand too. I have the premier annual pass for both DLR and WDW. There was a time when I would never have compared to the two because I thought WDW was so much better but I now enjoy DLR more. It's close to home for me and I still feel the magic there where I've kind of lost it in WDW. I will be at WDW in two weeks and I think it's going to be my last visit for a few years--and we decided to split our stay and do Universal. Then I return to CA and immediately head to DLR to be there Halloween night. I never done both parks so close together so it will be interesting to see if my feelings change after a true back-to-back comparison.

 

[Hootch]

I think WDW management has been complacent whether that was due to arrogance or greed, I can't say. They have been shocked by the aggressiveness of the park to the east and finally have made plans to expand the experience. There is still the issue that any new development takes years. We added a day at the park to the east a couple of years ago. They had started building Diagon Alley when we were there. It opened the following year.

I expect big things from Avatar, Star Wars and Pixar lands when they are finished, but WDW currently has last some mojo compared to that other park.

BTW, we were in DLr for one day three years ago. We started at DCA to get Cars Land FP at rope drop and hit DL shortly after. I think I like DL be tter than the MK.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I agree. We have been going for years. I've noticed so much being diminished. It is getting more crowded with less places for the crowds to go. We are not getting AP's again this year. I used to love having the excuse for a quick trip "Well, we have the annual pass." but we are limiting it to just 6 days with really low expectations.

If I can't get my top three ADR's at 180 because the resorts are so full that they were all scooped up by 180+ it is going to be shoulder to shoulder.

 

[MillauFr]

I agree with the OP. Disneyworld should have been far superior to Disneyland. They had so many advantages over Disneyland when they built the resort, money, land. They are both equally excellent but I was expecting much more the first time I went to Disneyworld.

 

[pcstang]

I agree with OP and the other PP's. Although I have never been to DL, I grew up in Orlando so I've been to WDW countless times. We just did an eight night stay 2 weeks ago and I didn't feel the same as it used to

 

[starjazz]

I think folks get stuck in the Disney groove and forget that, at least for me, what makes it special is that its a rare and unique experience. Instead of going multiple times per year, go once per year, or better yet, once every few years. In the mean time, experience something else. Go to Mexico, do some National Parks, explore Europe, whatever. Then, when you come back to Disney, it will be new, refreshed and exciting all over again. I think the trouble becomes complacency.