Has anyone ever left Disney unsatisfied? A family member?

[bizwiz24]

Hello everyone,

In July I will be going with first-timers: my girlfriend, her mom, and her two siblings (ages 3 & 10). Unfortunately my girlfriend is a pessimistic person. Last year she cried when we went to Cancun because it was too commercial for her. I am truly afraid that she will leave Disney unsatisfied. Trust me, although it seems unrealistic, it is possible! She might think Disney is not all it is hyped up to be.

I am just wondering if anyone had to deal with this problem? If so, how did you handle it?

Thank you for all your advice.

BIZWIZ24

 

[Uncleromulus]

I can only relate the story about my parents. We go every year--many times twice a year. Each trip my parents would sort of roll their eyes, yawn, etc--expressing their feelings as to why we went and what on earth we did. But in Oct one year I talked both of them into going--when they got back, it was all they talked about for weeks thereafter.
Moral--you never know--possible your GF willl have a blast!!

 

[HappyGramma]

I have friends (the DW is my best friend) who are going to WDW for the first time in Oct 2004. The DH is very excited about going and has been hoping to go for quite awhile. The DW is not really intersted in going but is willing because her DH really wants to go. My DD and I love going to WDW and have been helping them make some of their arrangements and getting them on the DIS board and such. I am hoping that once they get there the DW will fall in love (well at least like) with WDW. I would hate for her to come back feeling disappointed with the trip. I am amazed at how many people out there can't seem to feel the magic. I am in the mist of planning my 5th trip to the world for Dec 04 and am already starting to plan a trip in Dec 06. I just can't seem to get enough of the magic.

 

[arizonacolbys]

My (ex) BIL had never been to WDW until 2-3 summers ago when he went for the first time with my SIL. My family & my in-laws are all VERY much in love with going to WDW, so needless to say WDW was very built-up before he ever went.

Well, shortly before their planned trip my SIL injured her foot dancing in a play for school & had to have surgery on her foot. Instead of delaying the trip a couple of weeks they went down with her confined to a wheelchair for most of her trip. So, in the humid heat in the dead of July, my not so fit BIL, had to push her around in a wheelchair the entire time.

My SIL was also very stuck on what they could/couldn't do on their trip. One of the only things that interested him was checking out the NFL Experience at the WWOS - but he wasn't allowed to go.

Many other factors went into this trip - but he didn't enjoy himself at all. the only advice I can give is to try not to build up WDW too much (hard I know ) and recommend that they only do what restaurants, shows & activities that they want to. Just because a friend/family member enjoys a particular show, doesn't mean you have to. HTH!

 

[poohtown]

well truthfully when we went, my dh and dd15 were a little let down. We had built up disney as the ultimate theme park ever. We figured the rides would be the biggest and best things we ever saw. Now I view Disney more of a show place. My dd8 and I loved the characters and all the rides, but the other two are used to rollercoasters that are so high up you can see the next town. They saw Big Thunder Mountain and thought it was a kiddie ride. Once however they went to Blizzard Beach, they were able to do the Summit Plummit over and over till they hurt. That got the thrill bug out of them enough to enjoy the Magic Kingdom for what it is. They found that they really enjoyed the 3d shows more than they thought they would, my husband loved all the Epcot shows and they both got into the characters more than I thought they would. When we returned I asked everyone if they would want to go there again and they all said yes.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by bizwiz24
Hello everyone,

In July I will be going with first-timers: my girlfriend, her mom, and her two siblings (ages 3 & 10). Unfortunately my girlfriend is a pessimistic person. Last year she cried when we went to Cancun because it was too commercial for her. I am truly afraid that she will leave Disney unsatisfied. Trust me, although it seems unrealistic, it is possible! She might think Disney is not all it is hyped up to be.

I am just wondering if anyone had to deal with this problem? If so, how did you handle it?

Thank you for all your advice.

BIZWIZ24

I work with a woman who extremely pretentious and "artsy" . She thinks Disneyworld is lame because :

1. she's never been there
2. she has the personality of a termite. A boring termite
3. she would hate to ruin her "artsy" image by doing something as mainstream as go to Disneyworld.
&
4. she has no idea how to have fun unless it involves people covered in paint doing interpretive dance to animal noises or artists who no one but her has ever heard of.

(yes. I'm serious)

Now...I'm not saying your girlfriend is like this. I'm sure she is a very nice person; but some people just have this weird hatred of mainstream , commercial tourist places. My best friend refuses to eat at "theme" resteraunts like Hard Rock Cafe, or Planet Hollywood. I still can't wrap my mind around why; it's just a way she and I are different.

I hope this does not sound harsh :
If that's the case with your GF, that she just hates all things commercial, she may not like Disney. I wish Disney could bring out the kid in everyone, but some people are just set in their ways. Do you know why your GF hates commercial things? The woman I work with hates them because in her little world, it's not trendy and chic to like commercial things. THAT , IMO, is really silly. My best friend on the other hand, hates theme resteraunts because she feels like they drive independent businesses out of business , which IMO, is a valid point, but honestly, not one I'm all that concerned about (no offense to small business owners!)

I worry that my boyfriend won't like Disney but deep down, I know he will because even though DISNEY , per se, is not his thing, he likes having fun and he likes "kid stuff" and has no issues with mainstream vacation places. His mom on the other hand....

We went to visit her the other day and she kept saying how we'd get bored and how we'd not enjoy eating in the parks and how we wouldn't be able to stand it (which is silly because I have been to WDW about 30 times; my boyfriends been once, when he was 10 ; he's 31 now). His mom just vacations differently than we do. She would not enjoy Disney because she likes quiet and hanging around a resort not doing much.

Some people just don't like vacation spots like Disneyworld. Maybe your GF will change her mind when she gets there, but again, I think that depends on her reasons for not liking it.

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

On our May 2003 trip, the only thing that was unsatisfying was that I could buy all the souvineers that I wanted. Poor me

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by bizwiz24
Unfortunately my girlfriend is a pessimistic person. Last year she cried when we went to Cancun because it was too commercial for her. I am truly afraid that she will leave Disney unsatisfied. Trust me, although it seems unrealistic, it is possible! She might think Disney is not all it is hyped up to be.

Let's face it....WDW is a commercial place. It has tons of shops and souvenirs and all. If that's all your girlfriend sees, then she's going to be disappointed once again.

It's all about expectations. Evidently, she went to Cancun hoping to find isolation, not a lot of hotels or restaurants, and some quaint slice of Mexicana there.

Why is she going with you? What is she expecting to see? Ask her, and if it seems unrealistic then she might be better off not going. Lots of people go to WDW and only see the crowds, the high prices, the stressful running from attraction to attraction, the long lines and the heat.

Most of us see the little touches, the friendly employees, the nostalgia and the magic in watching a small child's eyes grow in wonder as they get a hug from Mickey!

 

[jellydisney]

I have had experiences with people who were "disappointed"....

Last year, I took a friend of mine and her militarist, right-wing boyfriend... This guy REFUSED to smile, REFUSED to have fun. On all the ride photos, he had a forced expression of boredom on his face. Like, he didn't want to enjoy Disney because it make him less of a man or something.

Also, last year a friend who went with us would get irritable in the parks and just want to go back to the room, but for whatever reason he felt obligated to stick with the group. We kept telling him "go do whatever you want" but he just tagged along and complained. He's going again this year, unfortunately, for reasons too complicated to get into.

Yeah, that was a fun vacation... But everyone else I was with had a blast. It's all about mentality and a person's personality. If your gf wants to enjoy Disney, she will. But if she is constantly looking for the commercial aspect, the catch, or the flaw, then she will not enjoy it.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by jellydisney


Last year, I took a friend of mine and her militarist, right-wing boyfriend... This guy REFUSED to smile, REFUSED to have fun. On all the ride photos, he had a forced expression of boredom on his face. Like, he didn't want to enjoy Disney because it make him less of a man or something.

Also, last year a friend who went with us would get irritable in the parks and just want to go back to the room, but for whatever reason he felt obligated to stick with the group. We kept telling him "go do whatever you want" but he just tagged along and complained. He's going again this year, unfortunately, for reasons too complicated to get into.

I never understand the people who say they hate it, yet go back...

I've also seen a lot of guys like the one you described (the I hate Dsiney because I'm a manly man type ) in the parks with their wives/GFs and families. I feel bad for them. Not because they are doing sometrhing they don't like, but because the inibility to let go and have fun is just sad.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

The others are right. If she wants to enjoy it, she will. My father always goes to WDW with us and complains the entire time. "The lines are too long," "The food is too expensive," "$4.00 for a hot dog???" etc, etc. It annoys me, but I put up with him, because I love him. And, yes, he's going with me again this year.

 

[kilee]

On our first trip DH said we were never going back. It was really hot and really crowded. Then again it was the week after Easter. Needless to say we've been back an average of every 6-8 months since!! A few months after that first trip we pulled out our pics and admitted that we probably didn't give it a fair shot. So we decided to go again and fell in love!

 

[mom_rules]

We usually go to WDW in April/May and have a fabulous time everytime. I talked it up so much that a GF decided to take her family in August. They had the worst time ever and will never go back. Too hot, too many bugs, too expensive etc.

Moral of the story, to each his own-You have to make your own good (or bad) experiences-it's up to the individual. Go have a great time and don't worry about everyone else. (Not to be selfish but-I won't ruin my vacation on account of someone else's attitude).

 

[JohnsPrincess]

The first time my DB and I went he was NOT excited to go. After a couple hours I could tell he was really enjoying himself, the sights, rides, everything. He Finally told me that he hadn't wanted to go because he'd been with his ex-wife and she complained the Whole time, making him have a bad time...and he just figured that's how it was. Now, I Don't complain about much and he knew that, but that bad memory scared him! Now I think he loves going just about as much as I do!

 

[jellydisney]

Originally posted by mom_rules
(Not to be selfish but-I won't ruin my vacation on account of someone else's attitude).

That's going to be my motto next month! If aforementioned person keeps complaining and putting a damper on everyone's mood, I'm going to separate myeslf from him. I'm wayyy too excited for this vacation to let one person ruin it for me.

 

[KCMiller]

I have to be honest - if it weren't for the fact that my kids were marching in the parade at MK, I might never have gone. I mean, it's an amusement park, right? I've been to Cedar Point - how much better could it be (no disloyalty to CP intended, by the way - it's fabulous!)? My sisters and parents had all been there, and were totally sold on WDW, but I just couldn't see it.

Then, we went. I will totally admit this - I was blown away. I found myself with a tear in my eye, giggling like a 3 year old, racing up to Captain Hook and asking for an autograph and a picture! I couldn't believe how beautiful everything was! Or how nice all the CM's were! And as for when I got my first set of mouse ears - well, let's just leave that story for another time.

A lot of people might think that WDW is hokey, or totally commercial, and I guess it is, in a way. But dang it, it's so much more than that! I can't put it into words, but please tell your friend that if a person like me can fall so in love with all that is WDW, then there's hope for her <g>.

Have a great day, everyone!

KC

 

[mrsltg]

There are plenty of people who are not going to enjoy WDW (generally, it's a personality issue). If you're a person who can let go and enjoy the simple things - children (not even your own, necessarily) seeing and doing thinds for the first time, characters, other people just really enjoying themselves- you'll have a great time. If you're looking for "adult entertainment" on par with some of the more fashionable cities, your're not going to find it on Main Street.

Friends and family constantly ask us why we go back. Don't we want to see anything else. We go back because the place is magical. For 10 days out of the year we get to act like kids while enjoying beautiful scenery, fantastic restaurants, and an incredible atmosphere. This is not to say that there is nowhere else in the world that we'd like to visit, just that we've found a wonderful place that we love going to and we have an amazing vacation each and every time. How many people can say that?

Erin

 

[bizwiz24]

Hello,

I just want to thank everyone for their quick and great advice. I certainly hope my girlfriend isn't against commercialism because I totally indulge myself with those kinds of labels. She never really made a point of it. I suppose she is just scared that Disney won't be everything she expects. Therefore, she asks me to stay quiet and let her experience it for herself.

Only time will tell.

Thank you,

Biziwiz24

 

[llp479]

We took my mom and dad with us last March. My mom loves WDW and has accompanied my sister and her crew many times.

This was the first trip for my parents with our 3 dds. Before we went my mom told me numerous times how my dad "wasn't into the theme parks,' and "wouldn't do much while there." Boy was she wrong! My dad rode just about everything - RNRC included!

Yes, he had some coments about about the "illusion of perfectness" at WDW, but overall he did't complain once. He had a great time watching my 3 dds interact with the characters, and having a good time.

Maybe she was upset on your last trip because it looked like everywhere else. Let's face it, most cities all look very similar with the same chain restaurants and retail stores on every corner.

 

[mmeb144]

You must let the magic come to you. I learned that after the awfulest trip to WDW I ever took. I overplanned what I could accomplish with 2 small kids and 1 spouse. (Go figure!) The next trip to WDW, we slowed down the pace a lot. The magic was still there, but we weren't too busy to find it.

Make sure to stay onsite at one of the magical hotels. Like WL! (My current favorite!)

Marie