Honest Opinions..Has anyone NOT enjoyed their last WDW trip?

[mi*vida*loca]

I didn't enjoy our last two trips. We have gone every other year for the last 7 or 8 years. It's funny because after the first non-enjoyable trip (4 years ago), I told the kids that we weren't going again. Then we went again 2 years later (2 years ago) because I forgot what I had said and we (*I*) had another miserable time. It wasn't because of lack of planning because we had all of our ADR's and FP's planned and used. It was because of the kids. They bicker constantly. They are currently 5, 8, and 11, so they have slightly varied interests. Like when we had character breakfasts or visits, my oldest was horrified and embarrassed and wanted nothing to do with them. Fine, but you don't have to sit there and complain bitterly about having to do something that involves characters because you have a little sister who is enjoying it.

Pretty much every ride was an argument. Aside from our FP+ times and the rides that we went to first thing like TSM, for example, we would choose based on what had a short wait time where we were or alternate letting the kids pick a ride in the area that we were in. We didn't have a set schedule. There was always complaining that a kid didn't want to ride that ride that another kid picked because it's dumb, or she didn't want to ride that now, or some other made up reason just to be difficult. The line was always a fight because this kid didn't want to stand by that one or "she was in line first last time." Then there was even more bickering when we got on the ride. They fought about who got to sit next to me (3 kids and 2 sides creates issues) or who got to sit on the outside (and which side of the outside because apparently that matters). I'm not exaggerating when I say that this happened pretty much on every ride. Forget about it when we rode something like BTM and we had to split up. They fought like cats and dogs over who was riding with me. Our youngest pretty much had to ride with an adult since she was just 4 at the time. Our oldest was 10 (so a Disney adult), but at least to the CM at TSM, she was not an adult. We had broken up our family such that DH was with our middle DD, older DD was with youngest DD, and I was alone. After we were in our seats, the CM said that an adult had to ride with our youngest. So DH tells oldest to switch with him since my car was already on its way. She pitched a fit and though she did switch, she literally sobbed the whole ride because she didn't want to have to ride with her middle sister. Seriously?!?! Then she complained that her sisters ruined her ride. No, honey, YOU ruined your ride as well as mine because every time I looked at you, you were hysterical. It's embarrassing. Yes, we talked to them about it and how their constant complaining and bickering was starting to ruin our vacation, but it just continued.

Then I became "that" mom and gave them a tongue lashing about how we paid a ton of $ (10 days club level at the beach club) and they were really ruining our vacation. I once again threatened them that if they didn't shape up, we were not going back. Their attitudes didn't change.

Guess what? We're not going back. This year is the year that we would normally be going to Disney, but I'm not planning another trip. No way. I'm not spending another 10K so my kids can fight just like they do at home. Yes, they do the same thing at home. When we got out to a restaurant, they will fight over who gets to sit next to me. Same thing for the movies or anywhere else that has seats. So annoying!!!!

OMG yesssssssssssssss! My kids did this constantly on our last trip! It is so frustrating. We are very much like you that we don't have a set plan aside from FP+ and ADR's. We ride rides that have short waits and go with the flow and still manage to do everything. Before just about every single ride it was a complaint fest....mostly from DS15 to which then DD9 would join in even though she is very much a happy go lucky go with the flow kid. But if big brother is complaining then the ride must be bad right? OR she just wants to be heard too? The fighting over who sits with who. DS wanted to ride with DD. DD wanted to ride with me. I was so over it. So so so so over it!

My DS15 even complained about going to see Mickey. We're in Disney....we are going to see Mickey! The whole line with FP+ he complained, then cheesed it up and took pictures and would say after "that was fun." It really left me stressed out. This was also the theme AFTER rides. Complain, complain, complain before every ride and then afterwards tell me how much he enjoyed it or tell me how he remembered riding X ride when he was younger. It drove me bonkers!

DS goes in 2018 with his senior class. I'm going with DD on a girls only trip in the near future. I love Disney and want to go back but I refuse to do a family trip again or at least anytime soon or while DS is still a teenager. Maybe after he's married and I can take his family with the grandkids. lol

 

[MommaOfTwoMice]

I've also read a ton of negative reviews, but I can't imagine not having a good time at Disney. We were there through July 4th week last summer (2015). It was our first trip as a family (myself, DH, DD7, DS6). We knew ahead of time that crowd levels would be up and having lived in Florida before, we knew it would be hot and humid. I became the crazy Disney planner of the family! I did my research by talking to my Disney expert friends, read a few touring books, and read the Disboards religiously. We had a fabulous time, despite the heat and crowds. Some plans we had to change to avoid being out in the July heat mid-day... but we really had an amazing trip. So much so that we booked a return trip within a few weeks of being home. Guess what?? We leave tonight! Staying at the Poly and we are very excited.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

The crowds, the planning for where you want to eat & what you want to ride months ahead of time, all of the construction, the rise of prices for everything, the less than magical service, the parks look kind of grungy...we've planned a beach vacation for Spring Break this year instead of Disney.

 

[cyneswith]

My first trip was awful. I was ~12, and my (supposedly neuro-typical) brother was ~15, and he was throwing temper tantrums if anyone wanted to do something he didn't (whether we went "alright, everyone will do what you want" or not. He only calmed down when a cast member asked if we needed an escort out of the park, and warned that we could be banned.) Everyone had been playing up Disney magic, and I had never been more miserable.

Nothing to do with Disney.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Planning this upcoming WDW trip has definitely been more difficult for me than planning our past two trips because so much has changed at Disney within the past three years since our last trip, prices are much higher, our kids are older so everyone has specific interests and preferences, and our family has grown so we have a toddler in tow again. In spite of all the planning, I am honestly expecting the unexpected and I truly hope we come away from it with no regrets and can say the third time's a charm . I will definitely post a follow up on this thread. I have to say that the 'teenager' issues concern me and I can relate to what has been shared on this thread. I got a sampler of what we may endure at Disney over the course of our travels and activities this past year. My twins will be 14 soon and our youngest is 2 ...I don't know who will be the greater force to be reckoned with, the temperamental teenagers or the temperamental toddler?? ...... Lord help me.

 

[ReluctantDisaholic]

I can't imagine having a bad trip - once I'm in my Disney bubble everything is better We've had a few frustrating moments from travelling with others, but the actual "Disney World" part of the trip has always made me happy.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Lots has changed from our first trip in 1998. We are currently in a Disney time out. We let our APs lapse, we sold our DVC and not sure when we will want to return.

We had so many fabulous trips! Loved playing bus roulette - whatever one comes first is where we go

Now, there is so much planning required. not really optional these days. I am a project manager and the last thing I want to do is plan my vacation down to what ride on what day.

Not to mention, the last couple trips were less than magical. Some of it was the unseasonable heat that can occur, the Brazilian tour groups (yup, turned right around and left the studios one day), the food prices for the quality...

all the little things added up. We loved our time there and I am sure someday we will go back. But I am not in any major rush at this point.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Lots has changed from our first trip in 1998. We are currently in a Disney time out. We let our APs lapse, we sold our DVC and not sure when we will want to return.

We had so many fabulous trips! Loved playing bus roulette - whatever one comes first is where we go

Now, there is so much planning required. not really optional these days. I am a project manager and the last thing I want to do is plan my vacation down to what ride on what day.

Not to mention, the last couple trips were less than magical. Some of it was the unseasonable heat that can occur, the Brazilian tour groups (yup, turned right around and left the studios one day), the food prices for the quality...

all the little things added up. We loved our time there and I am sure someday we will go back. But I am not in any major rush at this point.

R.I.P. bus roulette!

 

[Minniesgal]

We haven't enjoyed the parks as much as they have been more crowded but we have enjoyed our trips just as much by doing different things and spending less and less time in the parks.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

We haven't enjoyed the parks as much as they have been more crowded but we have enjoyed our trips just as much by doing different things and spending less and less time in the parks.

Just curious...rather than going to the parks what types of "different things" have you found enjoyable?

 

[Minniesgal]

Just curious...rather than going to the parks what types of "different things" have you found enjoyable?

We swim, we shop, Golf, mini golf, hire boats, cocktails in a lounge, a signature dinner, a day at the water parks, a couple of day at Universal, KSC.......

 

[katyjeka]

We've loved every trip and I believe our last count was 23. I will admit the last few have been less magical. I love to plan but not down to every last detail. Planning meals months ahead was ok but now rides, it's a little insane. (although we have friends who love it) A few years ago we left the disney bubble and started going other places. I actually felt guilty, my dh thought I was nuts. For soooooo much less money we have seen some awesome things. Our girls favorite vacation is no longer WDW. It's kind of sad but I have to agree with them........

 

[3DisneyFanz]

While we still find ways to enjoy our trips when we're there the time leading up to the trip just isn't fun anymore. We've always been the kind of people who would plan a trip and go in less than 30 days and that's not what Disney is anymore. In their drive to ensure they suck every dollar from you on your vacation they've also sucked a lot of the fun of just seeing where the day takes you.

 

[ktlm]

We have had 3 FP+ trips now. We hate FP+, find the trips more stressful (both pre and during), find it takes much longer to get things done, and we spend a ton more time crossing back and forth around the park (which has hugely cut down on my shopping time), BUT, that said, it is still Disney and we still have a fabulous time even dealing with the inconveniences. Our last trip was our first trip even since FP+ that we really felt like we were paying more and getting less. It just seemed like they are really chipping away at a lot of the little things that make Disney special and also making several cut backs (especially in regard to character meet and greets particularly at MNSSHP where there were several characters and a dance party gone) , BUT again even though we experienced some noticeable cut backs and changes here and there, it was still Disney and it is still wonderful. Just go in with an open mind and try not let all the little inconveniences of FP+ (okay, maybe more than little) bother you, and try not to focus on what isn't there, but just to enjoy what is there!

 

[katyjeka]

I agree, we were still able to enjoy our time but not as much or as easily. We too were all over the park to follow stupid fastpass. We would spend a minimum of ten days on our trips, usually 14 plus but will be cutting our trips down to a few days. So much is missing now and the love is slowing slipping away for us....We try not to compare what was but it's so hard. What's crazy is I'm more upset over this than anyone in my family including our girls. Of topic but interesting fact, we spent a week in Oahu (not disney resort)for less than a week in WDW. This includes airfare as Allegiant had some great fares, food, and attractions. Years ago this would have never been possible.

 

[Shanti]

I have read and heard SO many negatives recently from people on review pages/friends/etc.

How have your last trips been? We haven't been for about 1 1/2 years, but coming back in a few months.

Hoping for pixie dust!

We love it. Our latest trip (last week) was terribly cold, but it was still great & I was eagerly rebooking for next year while on DME headed back to the airport.

 

[Accident]

I have read and heard SO many negatives recently from people on review pages/friends/etc. How have your last trips been?

There was definitely a gap where cast members weren't as engaging as previous times. I wouldn't call any trip bad but it wasn't as great as it once was. We're really getting into seeing things about to close 1 last time, going on things we haven't in a long time and exploring all these new things popping up. Again not bad, just different. It's so horrible, we're going back again, and again, and probably again. Things are a changing and we're really loving it.

We've definitely hit the spot where we can point out tiny changes between trips, like a sign moved or a new shade feature in a ride queue.