Does Disney ruin you for all else?

[Angel Ariel]

I think it's around 12 hours from us. We have talked about doing a trip to PA sometime, spending time in Amish Country, and doing a theme park. Though by the time we get there, wondering if the kids would be too old for SP, since they'd be at least 10/7. I know after the "joy" of planning this trip - our next one is going to be extremely low-key. As in, probably go rent a house at a beach for a week and relax and do NOTHING! lol. No schedules, no ADRs, no itineraries etc... We're going to need a vacation from our vacation, lol.

If you're going to Amish country, you could head out to Hershey and Dorney Parks instead. Those aren't a far drive from Lancaster county (majo Amish country!). Dutch Wonderland is also there, but I'm not sure how much there would be for the 10 y/o (esp. in comparison to Hershey and Dorney)

 

[I M Fearless]

I have a saying while at Disney: "don't have too much fun today, the rest of your life will feel real boring afterwards"

It has definitely been something I have noticed. It was my birthday around 6 days after we returned from a real long trip this March.

We didn't even bother going out for a meal, as I just felt that whatever we did I would feel rather let down after 2 weeks in WDW. It just seemed a waste of time to be honest. We had a small gathering at home but the money will go towards the next trip.

 

[JanaDee]

Haha....I'm trying to figure out if this is a serious question or not?

Whether on other vacations or not, we've been to just ordinary restaurants, as well as distinguished ones too. Not to mention We live in Northern NJ, literally 5-10 minutes from NYC. So there's plenty to choose from.....

Mostly I was talking about the interactive stuff in WDW, for I know that these TS aren't totally comparable to the outside world...(If that makes sense)

Yes, it was a serious question. There are plenty of posters who have said they don't vacation anywhere other than Disney, so they have no experience with other resorts around the world or fine dining.

 

[lizard1]

I don't think Disney ruins other places for me, I think it makes me appreciate other places MORE. For instance, I have had major headaches with Disney IT...I appreciate that at other places I have NEVER had those issues. I also appreciate that at other places planning in advance isn't as necessary. Yes, I ALWAYS do my homework for the places I'm visiting and spending my money at, but I appreciate that I don't need to know 6 months in advance what I'm going to want to do on a certain day and where I'm going to want to eat. I also appreciate that at other places I can relax and have a real vacation versus feeling like I still need a vacation when I return from WDW. Don't get me wrong, I like WDW, but going there two years in a row has made me realize that I would rather spend some time at the beach and visit some national parks, etc. on vacation instead of going to WDW in every future year. I also find Disney to have the same stuff...like when I go to the circus there are a variety of acts, and while they are planned there is no guarantee that they will end up the exact same...Disney on the other hand, seems very scripted and there is no spontaneity in their parades and fireworks.

 

[cakebaker]

I don't think Disney ruins other places for me, I think it makes me appreciate other places MORE. For instance, I have had major headaches with Disney IT...I appreciate that at other places I have NEVER had those issues. I also appreciate that at other places planning in advance isn't as necessary. Yes, I ALWAYS do my homework for the places I'm visiting and spending my money at, but I appreciate that I don't need to know 6 months in advance what I'm going to want to do on a certain day and where I'm going to want to eat. I also appreciate that at other places I can relax and have a real vacation versus feeling like I still need a vacation when I return from WDW. Don't get me wrong, I like WDW, but going there two years in a row has made me realize that I would rather spend some time at the beach and visit some national parks, etc. on vacation instead of going to WDW in every future year. I also find Disney to have the same stuff...like when I go to the circus there are a variety of acts, and while they are planned there is no guarantee that they will end up the exact same...Disney on the other hand, seems very scripted and there is no spontaneity in their parades and fireworks.

Well, that's an interesting take on it. I suppose I could go to other theme parks I don't think do it as well as Disney so I'd appreciate Disney more, but it seems like a painful way to do it. lol But I do understand your point- Going to Universal and seeing the difference between how they operate vs how Disney does certainly increased my appreciation of Disney.

 

[momof2n2]

I had a class trip to Canada's Wonderland a long time ago. we had a blast! The Top Gun coaster is what finally got me over my fear of coasters!

LOL As I posted that I was thinking about Top Gun. My college BFF and I went up there for the day once and screamed our heads off. Twice.

I remember my first trip there when it was net opened. We went on some hulk of a wooden coaster: great Canadian something or other. My poor mom was done for the day.

Gosh. How have I never taken my kids there?

I LOVE Marineland in Niagara Falls. I've taken my kids twice. Like no other park. Acres and acted undeveloped, but crazy-rocking thrill rides. And whales. Love it there.

 

[glassslippergirl]

You pose an interesting question, OP. It's been coming up in my family for years, and we all say yes. I grew up in South Florida, so we went to WDW pretty regularly. My dad would always comment on the level of detail and cleanliness. When I was a teen and wanted to try Universal on a trip, we were in the car headed to Universal when he said it wouldn't be as good, turned the car around, and headed for MK. Nobody questioned him.

I've since been to all the other Orlando theme parks (going to Legoland this summer), and they are good, but the detail, customer service, and overall park experience are not there. DH and I always point to things like an open cast member only door and say, "You wouldn't see that at WDW."

I realized that WDW had really ruined me when I visited Cedar Point. Loved, loved, loved the roller coasters, but tith the sprawling, unorganized layout; inefficient customer service; epic lines-- seriously, they never ended; lack of theming, I just didn't enjoy like I should.

I hear US/IOA has really stepped up its game since HP came. I'm ready to give my Disney expectations a try there.

 

[nugov2]

I have a saying while at Disney: "don't have too much fun today, the rest of your life will feel real boring afterwards"

It has definitely been something I have noticed. It was my birthday around 6 days after we returned from a real long trip this March.

We didn't even bother going out for a meal, as I just felt that whatever we did I would feel rather let down after 2 weeks in WDW. It just seemed a waste of time to be honest. We had a small gathering at home but the money will go towards the next trip.

I don't mean to sound rude, but if Disney makes you think all other outings are not worth it that is a sad take on life and maybe a tad bit unhealthy. WDW is fun and amazing vacation, but when it makes all other important things seem like a waste it may be time to reevaluate.

 

[nugov2]

I don't think Disney ruins other places for me, I think it makes me appreciate other places MORE. For instance, I have had major headaches with Disney IT...I appreciate that at other places I have NEVER had those issues. I also appreciate that at other places planning in advance isn't as necessary. Yes, I ALWAYS do my homework for the places I'm visiting and spending my money at, but I appreciate that I don't need to know 6 months in advance what I'm going to want to do on a certain day and where I'm going to want to eat. I also appreciate that at other places I can relax and have a real vacation versus feeling like I still need a vacation when I return from WDW. Don't get me wrong, I like WDW, but going there two years in a row has made me realize that I would rather spend some time at the beach and visit some national parks, etc. on vacation instead of going to WDW in every future year. I also find Disney to have the same stuff...like when I go to the circus there are a variety of acts, and while they are planned there is no guarantee that they will end up the exact same...Disney on the other hand, seems very scripted and there is no spontaneity in their parades and fireworks.

I actually agree to a point. In some ways I think people allow WDW's short comings to be overlooked. It definitely has areas for improvement like many other places and also lacks amenities that you would expect at the prices you are paying. I think sometimes, myself included allow that treatment because of the nostalgia it stirs up when there. I can say with certainty that I wouldn't be likely to return as often to a place with many of the issues WDW has with the price they charge if it wasn't for the feeling MK evokes for me. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

 

[wdw4rfam]

So... I was at the circus tonight with the kids, my mind was wandering, and I wondered... does Disney pretty well ruin you for all other theme parks, parades etc? I mean, after you've been, do you just end up comparing everything to Disney? Is there any thrill in visiting small theme parks after? Do you find it takes away anything for the kids?

Yes. We can't find anywhere to go that compares. We have tried VA beach and the kids kept asking what we were doing every day. We ended up spending more entertaining them and on food, then our Disney trips, and everyone still agreed it wasn't as much fun. We've tried Hershey, but the it felt like we blinked and it was over, since you can do more than a few days there, and were used to 10-11 day Disney trips. We have cedar point an hour and a half away, but that's old hat now. We decided next year were doing an all universal trip because of all the new stuff going on, but other than that we probably will never go anyplace else.

 

[BigHeroKen]

We are primarily a family of thrill ride lovers so Disney hasn't ruined us, I will say that Universal has set the bar pretty high for our dark ride expectations though.

 

[I M Fearless]

I don't mean to sound rude, but if Disney makes you think all other outings are not worth it that is a sad take on life and maybe a tad bit unhealthy. WDW is fun and amazing vacation, but when it makes all other important things seem like a waste it may be time to reevaluate.

I know!

I'm sure it is unhealthy, but once you get blinded by the mouse it's hard to look at everyday life in the same way.

I struggle to not have a trip booked, I love looking forward to my next trip, but it would be nice if day to day life was a bit more like Disney. My life is great, don't get me wrong but I totally agree with the OP. Disney does make other stuff in life seem less appealing. I don't bother going to theme parks here in the UK at all, they're all just rubbish compared to Disney World.

Even Disneyland Paris is a far lesser experience.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

So... I was at the circus tonight with the kids, my mind was wandering, and I wondered... does Disney pretty well ruin you for all other theme parks, parades etc? I mean, after you've been, do you just end up comparing everything to Disney? Is there any thrill in visiting small theme parks after? Do you find it takes away anything for the kids?

For other theme parks, yes. For other vacations, no way!! I still enjoy going to other places and seeing other things. We find that we can do other week-long vacations that are equally as fun and not as high-impact as Disney for less than a Disney vacation. The thing that makes Disney stand out is the customer service. The CMs truly make Disney what it is. Of course, the fact that I really like Disney movies/characters helps a lot too. As far as other theme parks go, they pale in comparison. The two biggest reasons for us are the CMs and our family is not into thrill rides and that is what most other theme parks are.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

We've been to too many places that have underwhelmed us and we compare all theme parks to Disney so we only go to Disney. Why waste the money? If you think another park is better, you're wrong. A ride at another park may be better, but the overall experience will not.

We are hooked!

LOL - that is bold. It is just your your opinion, not a fact you are stating. But good for you for sticking to your guns.

 

[Planogirl]

Well, that's an interesting take on it. I suppose I could go to other theme parks I don't think do it as well as Disney so I'd appreciate Disney more, but it seems like a painful way to do it. lol But I do understand your point- Going to Universal and seeing the difference between how they operate vs how Disney does certainly increased my appreciation of Disney.

Going to Universal made me appreciate Disney less. It's all a matter of perspective isn't it?

 

[ArwenMarie]

Going to Universal made me appreciate Disney less. It's all a matter of perspective isn't it?

It is. Staying onsite at Universal definitely made me appreciate the onsite hotels at Disney less.

 

[I M Fearless]

I think the recent additions to US/IOA are really pushing the stakes up. They are beautifully themed with rich and immersive stories.

The park still lacks the overall, cohesive theming, setting and overall brilliance that Disney do so well. If the whole park was as good as Potter then they would be getting close to rivalling Disney.

I think Disney has the edge in terms of overall experience though, the whole setting is what makes it for me.

 

[cakebaker]

Going to Universal made me appreciate Disney less. It's all a matter of perspective isn't it?

Absolutely!

Just because Universal isn't a good fit for us, doesn't make what they choose to do with their parks and policies wrong any more than it does for those that don't care for Disney's parks and policy decisions.

Universal completely underwhelmed us both in the parks and at the resort. It's an easy solution though, no hard feelings, they just don't give us what we want so we won't return. Disney does so we will.

 

[rstamm]

YES
Disney and Universal there is nothing like it!

 

[Micca]

Yep, we're Disneyphiles all the way to the core. We've pretty much stopped going anywhere other than WDW. I don't know that we ever expected to turn out this way. We did see a good bit of the world years ago. Things that we'd like to do now are more special event or experience oriented. As far as theme parks are concerned, it has probably been 30 years since we last went to anything other than a Disney property. I wouldn't expect that to change unless our DGDs need us to take them to a local park for an afternoon.