Florida To Be Renamed New New England

[lugnut33]

Hearing the comments on the podcast about all the British accents they heard at Harry Potter and the Outlet Mall made me think about our stay at Animal Kingdom last week in which most of the people there had English accents also. I'm not kidding, it was well over half. It seemed everyone we met in line at the parks was also from England and they were staying for 2 to 4 weeks.

 

[mmay60046]

We like to go to WDW in the fall and I've noticed that there seems to be a lot more Europeans then than any other time of year. When we go in September we seem to notice a lot of Italians. I know part of the reason is all the American kids are back in school, but someone also told me that European schools don't have a 3 month summer break. They have trimesters with an equal break between each trimester all year round, so I'm sure September-November would be the perfect time for a family from Europe to schedule a trip to the U.S. when their kids are on a trimester break.

 

[wishspirit]

It's cause we are cool!

 

[Racey]

I love florida. Its cheap for us english fook to shop & eat, and you can go back year after year and still find new stuff to see. Your roads are easy to drive, and most of the people i've come into contact with are happy and make you feel cheerful.

Hell, even the pod cast say they havent seen everything and they are there nearly every day!!

Were quite lucky to have at least 21 days holiday given to us annually (we can have up to 30 days + at some companies), so were lucky to be able to go on long holidays (or vacations as you guys call it).

Last minute deals to florida are cheap for us too.

I love holidays, I love soaking the sun up in the maldives or alike, but when were after a busy holiday its always got to be the US (only based on my experience and i'm sure i'm missing lots elsewhere but hey, i'm having fun)

 

[Becx N Gav]

Last week where I live the schools were on half term (a 1 week break between September and the Christmas break). Also I think they offered free dining for this time of year earlier than in the US so that allowed people to plan it.
You may find next year there are fewer people though unless the cost of flights go down, they're very expensive for late July / August at the moment.

 

[fizz13]

I hope no one is making an official complaint about us Brits?

I still don't think I could stop coming over. Compared to Paris, Orlando is cheap I swear and I certainly couldn't live without my disney fix! And all that wonderful sunshine compared to the cold windy grey that i am seeing right now yuck. I can't wait to get back

 

[raymondcky]

When I was out there I have got to be honest I was sometimes ashamed to be from England with some of the ways the English were acting but like other people have said it's just a easy and cheep holiday for us Brits

 

[wdwpins]

The Orlando area should be called UK South.

This has been a bone of contention with me ever since I got my first annual pass in late 2006. I simply could not count 30 seconds without hearing one of several British accents in any given Disney park at WDW on any given day. ("Do you fancy another go on Mission Space?" "You've got the map; I'm following you." "Have you seen my mobile?" "Could you direct me to the nearest loo, mate?") Walking head on into these people didn't help, either. They tend to walk on the left, just as they drive.

So, I started to investigate...

What I found:

1. Many British continue to return to WDW time after time yet see no other part of the United States. I find this insulting. They see the US as a form of bargain-price entertainment and nothing else. I would never, ever consider going to England (been there twice) and visiting just Alton Towers. It's an insult to British culture and history. Many British will say, "Well, aren't you happy to get our tourist dollars?" Well, yes, but New Orleans and surrounding areas after Hurricane Katrina suffered immensely, and could certainly use some of those British dollars there. Also, for many British the idea of seeing something other than WDW simply means taking the bus to Port Canaveral and getting on a Disney cruise ship. How sad.
2. Disney has a special web site for UK residents, with special packages and pricing in pounds sterling. Recently it was discovered that now more Canadians come to WDW than British, yet there is no special web site for our neighbors to the north, and they're not able to pay for their Disney vacation in Canadian dollars.
3. Sanford airport has only one domestic airline--the rest are British. In fact, the airport is so British that there are signs outside of the terminals reminding passengers to "look to the left" so as to avoid being hit by an automobile. Is there an airport near Alton Towers in England that serves only American airlines? No.
4. There are British mortgage companies in the Orlando/Kissimmee areas. What's up with that?
5. At the Perkins Pancake House on 192 just west of Animal Kingdom I was able to pick up a copy of the Daily Telegraph to read during my breakfast, but no Orlando Sentinel newpapers were to be found.
6. At the Publix on 192 just west of Animal Kingdom there is an entire aisle devoted to British products.

It's gotten so bad that I can't help but pick out British tourists in WDW by their British bob haircuts (women) where the hair is long on the sides and short in the back, the English soccer hooligan shaved heads (men--and didn't someone tell them that hair protects the scalp from the searing Florida sun?), and the kids with their Manchester United shirts. The shoes they wear and questionable dentition don't help much, either, and who told these people that they have to create a cloud of spray-on sunscreen the moment they exit their vehicles?

Should the British come here? Sure. Should they visit WDW 18 times in 7 years? No.

I have another idea...maybe WDW should be called Walt English World.

 

[arielrocks]

Wdw pins.

I will continue to return to wdw as many times as possible so look out for me! You already have an accurate image of what ever Brit looks like so you should have no issues at all!

 

[wdwpins]

How about checking out the Everglades? It's the only place on earth where alligators and crocodiles co-exist. It's even warmer there than in Orlando.

How about seeing the Grand Canyon, Boston Common, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in Philadelphia, or St. Augustine here in Florida (oldest city in the US), the Golden Gate Bridge, The Alamo, Atlanta, Manhattan, Chicago, Mount Rushmore, Los Angeles (sorry, just seeing Disneyland and leaving doesn't count), Seattle, Salt Lake City, Washington, DC, or hundreds of other destinations in the US? Anything wrong with those? They would love your tourist dollars, too.

BTW, I didn't say I know what every Brit looks like. BUT, you can rest assured that if I see a family of four in the distance, walking on the left side of the path, with mom and her bob (long on the sides and short in the back), dad with this soccer hooligan shaved head, and the kids with Manchester United shirts, you can bet the farm they probably have names like Nigel, Fiona, Colin and Penelope. I'm just sayin...

One final thought, how do you think that family from Lincoln, Nebraska (who saved for years to go to Disney just one time) feels when they're refused admission to, say, Epcot, because it's reached capacity, knowing that something like 10% or more of the park guests are British?

 

[janiebubble]

******************

 

[wdwpins]

Why not just fly from London to, say, Philadelphia and visit the US without even mentioning the word "Disney"? It's only 90 minutes from New York City and less than 3 hours from Washington, DC by car. You could also see Amish Country in Central PA. Plenty to do in that part of the country. On the way you can stop off at Hershey Park, see where an American brand of chocolate is made, and then get your theme park fix at the same time. I just found a flight at ba.com to Philadelphia from LHR for 197 pounds each way, May 5 to May 19, 2011.

 

[Elise79]

The Orlando area should be called UK South.

This has been a bone of contention with me ever since I got my first annual pass in late 2006. I simply could not count 30 seconds without hearing one of several British accents in any given Disney park at WDW on any given day. ("Do you fancy another go on Mission Space?" "You've got the map; I'm following you." "Have you seen my mobile?" "Could you direct me to the nearest loo, mate?") Walking head on into these people didn't help, either. They tend to walk on the left, just as they drive.

So, I started to investigate...

What I found:

1. Many British continue to return to WDW time after time yet see no other part of the United States. I find this insulting. They see the US as a form of bargain-price entertainment and nothing else. I would never, ever consider going to England (been there twice) and visiting just Alton Towers. It's an insult to British culture and history. Many British will say, "Well, aren't you happy to get our tourist dollars?" Well, yes, but New Orleans and surrounding areas after Hurricane Katrina suffered immensely, and could certainly use some of those British dollars there. Also, for many British the idea of seeing something other than WDW simply means taking the bus to Port Canaveral and getting on a Disney cruise ship. How sad.
2. Disney has a special web site for UK residents, with special packages and pricing in pounds sterling. Recently it was discovered that now more Canadians come to WDW than British, yet there is no special web site for our neighbors to the north, and they're not able to pay for their Disney vacation in Canadian dollars.
3. Sanford airport has only one domestic airline--the rest are British. In fact, the airport is so British that there are signs outside of the terminals reminding passengers to "look to the left" so as to avoid being hit by an automobile. Is there an airport near Alton Towers in England that serves only American airlines? No.
4. There are British mortgage companies in the Orlando/Kissimmee areas. What's up with that?
5. At the Perkins Pancake House on 192 just west of Animal Kingdom I was able to pick up a copy of the Daily Telegraph to read during my breakfast, but no Orlando Sentinel newpapers were to be found.
6. At the Publix on 192 just west of Animal Kingdom there is an entire aisle devoted to British products.

It's gotten so bad that I can't help but pick out British tourists in WDW by their British bob haircuts (women) where the hair is long on the sides and short in the back, the English soccer hooligan shaved heads (men--and didn't someone tell them that hair protects the scalp from the searing Florida sun?), and the kids with their Manchester United shirts. The shoes they wear and questionable dentition don't help much, either, and who told these people that they have to create a cloud of spray-on sunscreen the moment they exit their vehicles?

Should the British come here? Sure. Should they visit WDW 18 times in 7 years? No.

I have another idea...maybe WDW should be called Walt English World.

Ok - Re-written this post so many times that I just give up now.

 

[arielrocks]

Wdw pins. How do you know that Brits haven't stopped off en route OR are off somewhere else afterwards? You have no right to be so judgemental and make
Assumptions about peoples travel habits!

How about all the Americans in the parks that aren't locals! Do you question their travel habits and stereotype them the way you do the brits?

Also, Alton towers is hardly a comparison to the Orlando area is it? Or perhaps if YOU visited more of England you would know that!

 

[fizz13]

Why not just fly from London to, say, Philadelphia and visit the US without even mentioning the word "Disney"? It's only 90 minutes from New York City and less than 3 hours from Washington, DC by car. You could also see Amish Country in Central PA. Plenty to do in that part of the country. On the way you can stop off at Hershey Park, see where an American brand of chocolate is made, and then get your theme park fix at the same time. I just found a flight at ba.com to Philadelphia from LHR for 197 pounds each way, May 5 to May 19, 2011.

In my defence I have been, stayed and explored Los Angeles then driven along the coast, visited Yosemite, Herst castle and San Simeon,Carmel, San Francisco, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, that was 1 wonderful trip.

I have visited New York extensively and loved it!

I have had the chance to visit Washington DC which was enlightening and blew my mind as I have a fascination with US history.

I agree that the USA is a diverse nation with much to be seen and learnt, the US deserves to be recognised for more than Disney World and i can understand that you would take offence that , to your mind, the Brits choose only to visit Orlando. However on a forum such as this, you are bound to come across people with a passion and enthusiasm for Walt Disney World, which would be a very small minority of the general British population and it is very nieve and ignorant to think that the Brits only visit orlando and no where else on US soil.

I am not going to start mud slinging, I apologise that our haircuts bother you, that our clothing is offensive to you and that you feel invaded. I am sure that there are several things that could be said about general US behaviour, which would be a shame to do as you are all individuals and i wouldn't dream of tarring you all with the same brush. Personally I have never come across a US citizen that i didn't like, they have always been welcoming and warm. Hhmm..maybe its that wonderful welcoming attitude that keeps us coming back too?

To state on a thread on a forum set up for those that share a passion for Walt Disney World that you can not understand why they would return 18 times in 7 years, to push the merit of several other destinations within the US and to deter Brits from coming to WDW, to say that we are the reason a US national would not be able to enter Epcot due to reaching capacity...there is a common attitude within the statements above that i do not want to put a label on frankly, i love these boards and i do not want to get banned, I'm sure others will be able to interpret for themselves.

What i will say is that the Brits are not going to stop coming any time soon, so if it bothers you that much maybe you should catch some of those wonderful landmarks you mentioned. Its a shame that we can't just enjoy sharing our cultural differences.

Edited to add that I can't wait for my 9th trip back to the most wonderful happy place on earth!!

 

[fizz13]

I just realised you compared Walt Disney World to Hershey Park!! The fact that you think our visiting is just about a theme park fix and nothing at all to do with the creativity, the much loved characters and the spirit that just is Disney, that is so hard to describe at the best of times, explains a lot to me actually.
Maybe you just don't get it, that disney connection thing, so I think it would be impossible to justify to you why we come back, or at least those Brits that frequent these boards. And if it didn't hit you when you explored the parks, if you didnt fall in love with the sheer magic of it all, then you can't understand the draw it has. Now i get your posts.

 

[Tinks1984]

Wow! WDWPins, I don't think I have any words at all to say back to you. But I'll try...

We'll continue to visit Walt Disney World as many times as we like, regardless of if this bothers you or not. Any place in the US should be grateful of our money being spent there.

I can bet to my bottom dollar that far more British come to the US, whether it be Florida or other states, than Americans come back and put money into our country.

I'm certainly glad many other Americans don't have your attitude also. Thankfully the many US citizens I've met and spoken with have been wonderful and more than happy to help and advise on things.

 

[daraddg]

WDW Pins, I'm American and really embarassed by your post! I just don't get the hostility,anyone should be able to come whenever they want and however many times they want.I apologize to our European friends,please do not think all of us are this narrow minded! WOW talk about ugly American

 

[FloridaSam]

To be honest I'm speechless by this.

Yes, I have a bob haircut and think it suits me nicely. Yes, my husband and kids wear football shirts at times but not Manchester United, I wouldn't though call them football hooligans.

I've been to other parts of the US but if I choose to visit WDW then thats down to me to choose. If I offend you so much then perhaps you should be the one choosing another holiday destination.

 

[DCLMan]

The Orlando area should be called UK South.

This has been a bone of contention with me ever since I got my first annual pass in late 2006. I simply could not count 30 seconds without hearing one of several British accents in any given Disney park at WDW on any given day. ("Do you fancy another go on Mission Space?" "You've got the map; I'm following you." "Have you seen my mobile?" "Could you direct me to the nearest loo, mate?") Walking head on into these people didn't help, either. They tend to walk on the left, just as they drive.

So, I started to investigate...

What I found:

1. Many British continue to return to WDW time after time yet see no other part of the United States. I find this insulting. They see the US as a form of bargain-price entertainment and nothing else. I would never, ever consider going to England (been there twice) and visiting just Alton Towers. It's an insult to British culture and history. Many British will say, "Well, aren't you happy to get our tourist dollars?" Well, yes, but New Orleans and surrounding areas after Hurricane Katrina suffered immensely, and could certainly use some of those British dollars there. Also, for many British the idea of seeing something other than WDW simply means taking the bus to Port Canaveral and getting on a Disney cruise ship. How sad.
2. Disney has a special web site for UK residents, with special packages and pricing in pounds sterling. Recently it was discovered that now more Canadians come to WDW than British, yet there is no special web site for our neighbors to the north, and they're not able to pay for their Disney vacation in Canadian dollars.
3. Sanford airport has only one domestic airline--the rest are British. In fact, the airport is so British that there are signs outside of the terminals reminding passengers to "look to the left" so as to avoid being hit by an automobile. Is there an airport near Alton Towers in England that serves only American airlines? No.
4. There are British mortgage companies in the Orlando/Kissimmee areas. What's up with that?
5. At the Perkins Pancake House on 192 just west of Animal Kingdom I was able to pick up a copy of the Daily Telegraph to read during my breakfast, but no Orlando Sentinel newpapers were to be found.
6. At the Publix on 192 just west of Animal Kingdom there is an entire aisle devoted to British products.

It's gotten so bad that I can't help but pick out British tourists in WDW by their British bob haircuts (women) where the hair is long on the sides and short in the back, the English soccer hooligan shaved heads (men--and didn't someone tell them that hair protects the scalp from the searing Florida sun?), and the kids with their Manchester United shirts. The shoes they wear and questionable dentition don't help much, either, and who told these people that they have to create a cloud of spray-on sunscreen the moment they exit their vehicles?

Should the British come here? Sure. Should they visit WDW 18 times in 7 years? No.

I have another idea...maybe WDW should be called Walt English World.

In light of this post I think all Brits should stop visiting WDW. We are obviously not good enough.