Going to WDW and SKIPPING the MK!!

[funcinderella]

I just posted this on the Biggest rookie mistakes thread, but I had to post it alone because I still can't believe it and I'm wondering if anyone else has made this mistake (and will admit it!):

I've got the best (and it wasn't me, it was my boyfriend, before he knew me):
NOT GOING TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM!!

My boyfriend went in 98 with his then wife and stepdaughter (age 7 at the time). He asked people what not to miss, and they said "Epcot, MGM. Universal". When they got there, they saw the brochure for MK, with a little kid looking at the Dumbo ride and figured it was for prechoolers (plus no one had recommended it) so they SKIPPED IT!! This was a one and only trip for them, and when they got back those same people asked them how they liked the MK and when they said they didn't go to that park, they were incredulous! When he realized that he had missed the essence of Disney, he was really upset, but none of them had ever been there before and they just didn't know. Knowing what a big fan I am, it took him months to even admit this to me, and he's still upset to this day. Just goes to show you how unaware people really are!!

 

[flyfan]

Okay, I have a dirty little secret. I'm going to WDW and we're not setting foot in the MK. Or Epcot, or MGM or Animal Kingdom! Shocking, but true. See, my sons are 17 & 15 and they are WAY more interested in Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon then the parks. I've asked them 5 or 6 times if they are sure and their response has been, "um, girls, bikinis, water rides, temps in the 90s, um -- duh" pretty much every time. I've been to disney 13 times but this will be their first trip. Yes, I feel like I am neglecting them and being an evil mom and all else, but they are thrilled silly with the prospects of me getting them waterpark annual passes and letting them spend as much time as they want each day there. I've also got a list of other things for the 3 of us to do including the movies at either FW or the AMC theater, reservations at California Grill late enough to see the fireworks, a Wishes cruise (couldn't get in on an Illuminations cruise), plans to go miniture golfing and going to see the Tampa Bay Bucs training camp.

Now this is perfect for my family and a great way to save $$$ (waterpark annual passes are only $106) but I know it's not for everyone. If we had a 7 year old, we would be hitting MK for sure.

Am I the only one to do Disney and not hit any of the 'real' parks???

 

[JRawkSteady]

::covers ears:: BLASPHEMY!!

hehe, seriously, I could never go to WDW without visiting the parks. I don't even like the water parks that much. (sure, I'll go to Blizzard Beach every once in a while....I mean it is rated the number 2 water park in the country) But without MK and Epcot especially, it's not WDW.

 

[nhpooh]

I could never go to WDW and not go to the parks. Now when ever I go to Florida I even have to visit DTD. I might not go to the parks then, but have to go to DTD to get my Disney fix.

 

[iHEARTflorida]

my dad wants to miss out on MK, but i wanna go and rides the mountains, soak up the disneyness

 

[disneymama73]

Last January, I visited WDW with a couple of friends. We visited MK, Epcot and DTD only and did not go on any rides. We only shopped and ate at great restaurants. And it was FABULOUS!

Please don't hurt me.

 

[julieburdick]

Yikes! I can't imagine NOT going to MK! My vacation doesn't officially begin until I'm walking down Mainstreet USA!! We went for 1 day around Easter (WOW was it busy) in 97 while in FL for my brother's wedding. We only had the time/money for one park, so of COURSE it was MK! My oldest DD was only 4 months old at the time so I didn't get to go on much...only Pirates and the railroad...but it was worth it for me just to be in the park. I know this is going to sound really sappy, but I'm just so happy there. I typically don't like crowds (and it was more crowded than I have EVER seen), but I was totally at peace because I was there!

I'm just so glad that I finally found a place where people understand how you could love Disney SO much. Thank you all! This is such a great place!!

 

[jjk]

not go to magic kingdom The thought terrifies me my holiday starts when we ride the TTA at MK

 

[clombardi]

I've been to disney 13 times but this will be their first trip.

I am dying to know how you go to WDW 13 times without the kids? Were all the trips before the kids were born?

That's a little secret I'd like to be in on!

 

[flyfan]

I am dying to know how you go to WDW 13 times without the kids? Were all the trips before the kids were born?

That's a little secret I'd like to be in on!

Oh my goodness, yes -- all were before the kids were born. My first trip was in 1976, my last in 1989. My parents would take me every year, usually during the Christmas break, but 2 years we went in the summer. I have not visited since becoming an adult myself, but have stayed abreast of all the WDW happenings. I'm leaving my husband and my 3 year old at home this trip & just focusing on the teens. My brother lives in Orlando & has APs to the water parks too, so this will mostly be male bonding between the teens and my baby brother (who is 24 and the coolest uncle in the entire world, at least if you ask my kids).

I'm already looking forward to a nice trip to the spa, some quality reading time, time to work on a complicated knitting project, etc. This will be one of the most relaxing trips to Disney in recorded history.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Oh my goodness, yes -- all were before the kids were born. My first trip was in 1976, my last in 1989. My parents would take me every year, usually during the Christmas break, but 2 years we went in the summer. I have not visited since becoming an adult myself, but have stayed abreast of all the WDW happenings. I'm leaving my husband and my 3 year old at home this trip & just focusing on the teens. My brother lives in Orlando & has APs to the water parks too, so this will mostly be male bonding between the teens and my baby brother (who is 24 and the coolest uncle in the entire world, at least if you ask my kids).

I'm already looking forward to a nice trip to the spa, some quality reading time, time to work on a complicated knitting project, etc. This will be one of the most relaxing trips to Disney in recorded history.

And am proud of you. We've been to the world over 35 times, most trips average 8-12 nights and we're without kids now but our daughter and SIL meet us there and we're to the point that we enjoy all the other things to do around the world and the resort. We have AP's so going to a aprk for a few minutes or to just grab a meal or one favorite ride isn't no big deal anymore. But we have to go to MK, just to walk under the train station, smell the pop corn wagon and look down Main Street is priceless. We do alot of shops now, eat snacks in alot of different places and have picnics around the resort pool and relax. We really like EPCOT in the evenings, less people, dimmed lighting and the best fireworks we've ever seen. Now, in our middle 50's, relaxation, friendship, bonding of family members is paramount then racing from ride to ride in the parks. We do enjoy the parks and rides but we're more picky now, take it as it comes, know we're going to be there at least 10 nights and are coming back so the commando ticket is gone and the carefree pace is here.

 

[BethC1952]

We were at WDW for 3 1/2 days in November, and never went to any park. We had a great vacation and were never bored. We enjoyed the time just doing nothing in such a lovely, happy setting!

 

[disnut8]

The week after Christmas 2004. With our son, daughter-in-law and then six year old granddaughter. They were with us for seven days. We NEVER went into the Magic Kingdom with them. The granddaughter didn't even mind. She was on her second visit to the World (we did Magic Kingdom this first time as well as everything else) and saw the Magic Kingdom from the monorail but didn't care about going in. She enjoyed the other three parks and had a blast. She still says Epcot is her favorite.

 

[PCFriar80]

I just posted this on the Biggest rookie mistakes thread, but I had to post it alone because I still can't believe it and I'm wondering if anyone else has made this mistake (and will admit it!):

I've got the best (and it wasn't me, it was my boyfriend, before he knew me):
NOT GOING TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM!!

My boyfriend went in 98 with his then wife and stepdaughter (age 7 at the time). He asked people what not to miss, and they said "Epcot, MGM. Universal". When they got there, they saw the brochure for MK, with a little kid looking at the Dumbo ride and figured it was for prechoolers (plus no one had recommended it) so they SKIPPED IT!! This was a one and only trip for them, and when they got back those same people asked them how they liked the MK and when they said they didn't go to that park, they were incredulous! When he realized that he had missed the essence of Disney, he was really upset, but none of them had ever been there before and they just didn't know. Knowing what a big fan I am, it took him months to even admit this to me, and he's still upset to this day. Just goes to show you how unaware people really are!!

Went there for about 5 minutes last January, couldn't stand it, had to go! Oh yeah, it was mile six of the half marathon! They didn't even check my AP!! In all seriousness, not our #1 park, but it is worth a visit as this is what Disney is all about!

 

[Quinn222]

I went twice before I set foot in MK. In my defense the first two trips were very short (1 night) and had a specific purpose that didn't take place in MK. As soon as I had a longer trip I headed straight for MK.

 

[tmt martins]

I've been a few times ( Playing Paintball at WWoS) for entire weeks and never went into the parks. Last time I went SOLO to Us/IOA for 5 days straight after playing but never hit a WDW park at all.

I have also gone to L.A. and drove to DL for just the day a few times when we play there.

 

[schoen]

We often skip the Magic Kingdom. It just doesn't do much for me. I don't have kids, so I prefer the other parks. I'm sure if I take kids one day I'll go to MK, until then I often miss it. I am planning to go my next trip because I want to catch Spectro Magic again.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We aboslutely love MK and could not imagine missing it. On our upcoming trip we are planning to break from tradition and do Epcot on the first day instead of MK. I am still coping

 

[LoriMistress]

Bottom line; people don't bother to do their research. What people consider "research" is talking to a few friends and that's the end of it. No one picks up a book or does the research online. There are travel agents who are willing to take the time to talk to you about the vacation that you're planning. I swear, if I didn't do the months of research before my first trip to WDW, my DH and I would have probably had a miserable trip.

 

[CTCouple]

Heretics !!!