How can anyone not enjoy themselves at WDW??

[laceemouse]

but before the trip he does do a lot of complaining (at this very minute he is telling me we need to cancel our vacation because of the oil spill ...)

Does he not realize that Orlando is in the center of the state, miles and miles away from the coast? There will not be any oil in the man made lakes of WDW.

 

[Markstudy]

Oh, and I just looked at your photos Markstudy, when you say that your favourite place to eat is next to star wars, would that be the backlot counter service place? If so, its our favourite too, or is it something else?

no, I've eaten there also... and we like it

But my all-time favorite lunch is Sci-Fi Dine-in. (I've still got to add more text to my photobook...its a work in progress)

 

[ChocoKat]

Well, you can blame me for creating a brand new generation of Disney addicts.
My SILs and my nieces and nephews just hated their first try at Disney World, they went during a super crowded time and tried to cram all 4 parks in one day

They didn't get to ride anything and ended up fighting and leaving without even watching any fireworks. The kids said it was one of the most stressful and depressing things ever.

So this memorial day weekend they all had GAD tickets to use. The moment I found out I made ADR's for all of us to start our day at MK before opening eating at Crystal Palace, DH and I split the group up, so those who wanted to meet characters got their fill, and those who wanted to ride rollercoasters did so.

We did it all! All the headliners, all the characters they wanted to greet (yes, even the faeries!). My littlest niece even got to pull the sword from the stone that day. We got rained out of MK for a while, but we made it in time for Spectro and Wishes and had time to ride even more stuff.

Now they all can't wait to go back and can't believe what a wonderful place it is and NOW they understand why we go so much
They even have the one park they want to conquer, so DAK better watch out!

 

[Fantasmic23]

I returned from our first family trip about a month ago...and I cant stop thinking about what I need to do so that we can go back! We had the most wonderful time!

Anyhoo...I was thinking...does anyone know of anybody who went to WDW and never wanted to go back afterwards?? What made their trip so difficult?

My husband who really didnt want to go on the trip in the first place loved it just as much as I did...maybe it was my overplanning that helped??

...just wanting to go back tomorrow...this is a sickness I tell ya

My miserable stepfather (who my mother thankfully divorced in 2002), hated WDW when he went with my mom, sister and brother back in the spring of 1990. I wasn't included on this trip, mainly because my stepfather sucked. At first I was very hurt but then when everyone got back from the trip and began telling me the horror stories, I thanked my lucky stars that I was left at home with my grandmother!

I've seen the old VHS tape that my mother filmed while they were in the parks, and it's pretty bad. Basically, my stepfather had this awful puss on his face the entire time and was yelling at my brother and sister for laughing while they were waiting in line to go on Peter Pan. He was constantly complaining about everything and everyone. He didn't want to go on any rides, he didn't want to eat any food and God forbid my mother suggested that they browse around any of the gift shops. I'm told that all he wanted to do was sit on a bench with his arms folded across his chest and sulk. Dang, you'd think that my not being there would've at least made him a bit happier. Apparently, the most magical/happiest place on Earth had absolutely no effect on this guy.

My stepfather's attitude was so bad on that trip that my sister and brother are both anti-Disney to this day. I'd probably have to pay my brother a large sum of money to get him to accompany me and family to WDW someday. I'm slowly working on my sister and her fiancee and they're slowly coming around, but I'm going to have to put in a ton more work.

I'm so happy that you and your family had a wonderful time on your first trip and I'm hoping you can return soon!

 

[beachgrl001]

I returned from our first family trip about a month ago...and I cant stop thinking about what I need to do so that we can go back! We had the most wonderful time!

Anyhoo...I was thinking...does anyone know of anybody who went to WDW and never wanted to go back afterwards?? What made their trip so difficult?

My husband who really didnt want to go on the trip in the first place loved it just as much as I did...maybe it was my overplanning that helped??

...just wanting to go back tomorrow...this is a sickness I tell ya

welcome to the club, yep its a sickness but a good one All of the people i have talked to that hated disney went on trips that were unplanned, at the most crowded times of the year...no wonder they didnt have fun ;p .

 

[stacyp9]

To the OP's question as to how could anyone not enjoy themselves at Disney?

Easy it's a simple matter of the magic being overwhelmed by the negative.
You start with your magical quota. Add enough negatives in the forms of bad airplane ride, sick kids, horrible crowds, poor service at the hotels, high temperature, over crowded buses, bad weather, broken rides that were looked forward too, over priced not so great food, unreasonable expectations, inconsiderate fellow disney goers, and cramped resort rooms and you can quickly get to the place of not wanting to do it again anytime soon.

It does not mean these people are necessarily bad planners or negative people. They simple had a bad experience.

It happens. Even at WDW!

 

[Disney_Jill]

I love Disney, I always have since the first time I remember going when I was 5. After that trip, I would sit at our front window and swear I could see Disney world in the distance. Its been 35 years and my mom still remembers me saying that. I grew up 3 hours from WDW, so we went all the time. Never in the summer (that I recall). I don't remember long lines or anything like that. So, to me, WDW brings back so many great memories. I also went on school field trips and grad night. I remember when Epcot opened. I just love being there and feeling like all your cares are gone for the time being. I love the atmosphere, the rides, the hope for the future, and all that fun stuff! I have history there and that helps bring more to it for me.

However, I understand how it isn't for some people. My dh really doesn't like WDW, he really doesn't. He went once when the boys were little and had an ok time but its just not his cup of tea. I am ok with that. The kids and I go and then we go on a family beach vacation another time. He doesn't like all the walking and the crowds and all the stimulation. He just likes to relax and lay around. He works hard and I respect and understand his wants from a vacation. I am a teacher, so I get more time off then he does.

 

[iheartpeterpan]

My DH does not like Disney, he has been several times but is just overwhelmed by the crowds, the kids, the noise, etc. We have gone with great plans. My DS also does not like Disney. However, my DD thanksfully does love Disney just as much as I do - so we go, just the two of us and leave the boys at home. Everyone is happier for it and us girls have a great and magical time.

 

[Mistydp6492]

I've been going to Disney throughout the years ever since I was 7. I'll be turning 30 this year and this is my 9th trip. I've also been raised in a family that took vacations every year - my husband, however went on one family vacation his entire life, and their vacation pictures prooved how miserable they were on this "vacation." Needless to say, I look back on our family vacations with the fondest memories - especially our Disney trips! I think it is imperative for us to spend time together as a family every year and make these memories for our girls so that they too can look back fondly over the times we've spent together. That said, we've taken our family to Disney World every year at least once since our oldest, who's now 5, was 2. Now, we have 3 girls ages 5, 2, and 4 mths . All my friends insist on waiting to embark on their first Disney trip until after their youngest is 5, but my children's ages have never stopped me from wanting to go. I absolutely love taking my kids with me wherever I go, and don't really want to go anywhere that they can't be. One year, our middle child was 5 months when we went, and to me, it was a blast! To my husband, it was a nightmare to have to hold a child in the heat, rush for cover every time there was a rainshower, fold and unfold strollers constantly, and make our way to the one and only babystation in each park every few hours. He's one of those people who would be fine never going again . . . or at least try it once our kids are out of strollers. Sometimes I wonder if it was his lack of vacations as a child that influenced his negative-Disney state of mind. Who knows?!! All I know is I told him he better start enjoying himself because if offered any place in the world to take a trip, Disney would always be my choice! He knows this, and has really started to take an interest in it with me and is even helping me plan our dinner reservations . . . huge step for him!

 

[kathy884]

Different people like different things. My husband, for example, doesn't care for Disney World at all. He doesn't like Florida either. Also, an all inclusive resort kind of thing is not his cup of tea at all, and the on property Disney experience is a little like that / something he'd like to run away from. So when we go, just my son and I go often meeting up with extended family who like theme parks and the area.

Here are things that add up to this not being a good vacations match for my husband:
1) Much of the theming, just hits him the wrong way (Fake stuff) -- He's a National Park kind of guy
2) He does not care for heat or humidity
3) He does not care for theme parks or thrill rides
4) He doesn't like crowds or lines
5) It drives him crazy that walking in Disney World everything is just so clean and there is not even a pebble to kick
6) He feels trapped when he is in Disney surrounded by Disney food offering that are expensive (overpriced in his opinion) and Disney gift stores items // And it's such a long drive to get out of the World, and he wants so much to escape

Here are some of the very few things he has found enjoyable in the Orlando area:
1) Cirque and Blue Man Group shows
2) Food at Boma
3) Gatorland (The fact that alligators are native to the area and that this is more an old time Florida attraction vs. world class theme park helps) // If he has been in the area for a seminar -- He's had a few seminars for work at the Contemporary, this is the only theme park he cares to go to.
4) Sky Venture -- He thought the indoor sky diving in a wind tunnel was fun

It works out so much better for all of us if he just stays home. He has no problem with our going and using family vacation budget money at all and is just so happy to be able to stay home and avoid the Orlando experience all together.

For our main family vacation each year, we do something we all enjoy. This summer for example, we are going to Zion and Bryce National Parks. My son and I, though, who love theme parks and thrill rides, will typically do some little get away like this every year -- a weekend at Cedar Point, a three day Orlando weekend (we did a Disney Park and Sea World). Next year we'll do for a whole week -- but it will be pretty inexpensive (offsite condo my parents are picking up the tab for / other family members will have a car, etc.) And again next year 2011, our main vacation will be something we all like (Colorado in the summer).

 

[stacyp9]

Kathy you should check out Discovery Cove. I bet he loves it.

 

[CapeCodMouse]

My hubby went with us the first few years when my son was smaller and had a good time, but I just don't think it is his cup of tea. This year, my DS9 and myself are going it alone without daddy. He is staying home to paint the house! I told him that was o.k. because it's easier with only one kid.

 

[tchrrx]

I met with a friend yesterday and her husband said that he would never go back to Disney because of the lines. If I remember right, they went during one of the less busy times. And, they had the GAC card b/c their nephew is autistic. They didn't have to wait as long in many lines (b/c that's what the card stated, not just b/c they had a card), and he still didn't like it!

 

[CrabbyPatty]

My DH's idea of h*ll would be going to Disney World. Let me explain .... he has very fair skin and red hair and burns very quickly. Very heat sensitive and gets dripping wet in about 2 seconds. He has back problems and can't stand long before his feet get numb and back hurts like crazy.

My DD and I went last August, this August, and plan a longer trip for NEXT August. DH would be totally miserable the entire trip, but he has absolutely no problem with us going and having a great trip. That just gives him more time to enjoy HIS passion - auto-crossing and going to various races around our region. So it's a win-win situation and everyone is happy.

 

[CocosMeme]

I have been a Disney fan since the World opened. We went for the first time in '73 when all they had was MK. Since then I have been about 15 times. I used to go with my sister and sons every other year during Feb. or March and we did not ever have a "plan". We just went and did whatever and whenever. We went as a big family (my nephew got married at GF) in 2007, and it was my husbands first visit in 30 years, and he fell in love. He hates hot weather, so we like to go in Nov. or Dec. but we went in '08 in early May and loved the flower festival. Now that I know how to plan (thanks to the Dis. and TGM) we always have a great time. We bought DVC when we were there for the wedding and have really enjoyed it. We are both in our early 60's and have 6 grandkids, so we are able to enjoy fun family trips as well as adult only trips. We have discovered the adult only trips are so relaxing and fun. We can sleep in, have good food, roam around and people watch, ride what we want when we want, and just be together in a wonderful place. Last Dec. we saw the Candlelight Procession and Osboourne Lights for the first time and are going back to see them again. Like others have said "different strokes for different folks". Everyone is not going to like Disney, but so what!

 

[PamNC]

just kidding.

But Honestly - what's not to love?!! I realize the crowds are irritating for some, but that's why you have a plan. Take afternoon breaks. Know where you're going.

I'm taking my BF for his (basically) first trip. He went once in 1986 - just a day trip to MK and Epcot. So for all intents and purposes he's never been. He is from South Africa and his sister and family went and stayed at AKL and told him how authentic AKL and AK were to home...BUT said "we though it was great but won't go back." I think some people just "miss the magic." Don't get it.

Anyway - I'm hoping to make an addict out of bf during our trip in October. Think he'll enjoy Food & Wine.

Oh - once a guy I worked with said this about Epcot "it was okay but all you do is ride through and look at exhibits."

ARe these people kidding me?????? What?

Also - one of my aunts. My mom and her two sisters went. Mom and Sister #1 love it. Sister #2 went once and hated it...just wanted to lay by the pool and go to mcDonald's and go get stuff to "cook"

lord have mercy people.......

PamNC

 

[PamNC]

I think it's just a personality thing..the people who hate it tend to be the cynical, pessimistic types, IMO. Meaning, when the see a little kid overjoyed to see Mickey, they'll say "isn't it horible how Disney brainwashes people?". They also tend to be the types who are unable to just let go and have fun...they're too worried about what others may think. And the cheapskate people? I think they're the saddest of all. Life is for living, not for squeezing every last penny until it screams.

And sure, everyone likes different stuff. I'd be bored silly on a cruise or a trip to Vegas, for example.

I was thinking what you said...thanks for saying it!!

 

[diskids2]

Interesting thread....my family loves WDW to different degrees and this trip we are taking a "first timer" and I was so worried that they won't like it.

Then I finally calmed down and said "different strokes for different folks" and at least he will be experiencing it one time...then he can decide.

 

[puntagordabob]

It's kind of like saying adults that like WDW must be immature

My DW says I'm a 43 year old Kids especially when it comes to Disney! You know what? I am 100% Completely O.K. with that!!!!

My response to people that try to down me for my love of Disney is: "When the day arrives that I cannot have fun like a little kid, then that will be the day that my life is no longer worth living..."