How can anyone not enjoy themselves at WDW??

[Christyo72]

In 2004, my family and my two sisters families were at WDW at the same time. We stayed at WL, one sister stayed at Pop, and the other was at ASMovies. To be honest, I didn't really want to go; vacation had always been relaxing on the beach somewhere, but I hated for my kids to miss out on the vacation that their cousins were going to. My family and my sister from Pop and her family stayed together at the parks almost the entire time. To my surprise, we had a ball! My sister and family from ASMovies had a terrible time. We only saw them a few times that week, but the whole family was miserable. They hated the heat (June) and the lines. They had a terrible time and couldn't believe that the rest of us had had such a good time. The rest of us have been back several times since then. Last summer, my sister that hated disney decided to give it one more shot since the rest of us love it so much. Mistake. She still hates it! lol

 

[lorac4disney]

It seems to me that a common theme in people who don't enjoy it seems to be touring commando style instead of planning in some relaxing breaks.

I'll admit that the first time we went, I didn't plan in any downtime and expected my family to be energizer bunnies. It took all of one day to change that. I simply can not go commando style and neither can my family.

As for my non-Disney DH, he refuses to be left out of any WDW vacations. DD really wants to see the Christmas lights sometime so I told DH that I was thinking about taking a short trip with just DD and I so that we could see the lights. All of the sudden, he can't live without seeing them also!

I agree that there will always be people who hate or don't like WDW. There are things that I can't stand as well (non Disney of course). I've never been to Vegas, but I truly have no interest in gambling. Tried it. Didn't like it. Too much sitting around throwing my money away just to watch a set of dice tumble or things spin around on a slot machine. It just does nothing for me.

 

[shezfrombermuda]

I know a woman that planned a 10 night trip for herself, husband, and her 6 year old son. She told everyone that would listen about how great her trip was going to be because she booked a Poly MK view room with the dining plan and they were going to watch the fireworks from the room etc....... Depending on who she told, the trip was $6000, $8000, $10,000 plus. They came back and she said they would never go to Disney again. She couldn't believe what a terrible trip they had.

What happened was she didn't do any research or make any plans. She didn't make any dining reservations and said she couldn't believe Disney expected her to eat all this greasy fast food and she demanded her dining plan money be refunded. She thought because she was a hotel guest that she should just be able to go to any restaurant she wanted. She also thought that she should get into the MNSSHP for free because she was a hotel guest and hotel guests should only be able to get fastpasses. I am not sure what was wrong with the Poly because it was so terrible she couldn't even talk about it! I think that she thought she was getting a room in the main building and didn't research the hotel.

 

[tami82]

Actually it took alot of convincing to go on our first trip as a family. I was told beforehand this will be it. Before we left i was told we would go back in about 3 years. My husband loved it!! Love the free dining, not having to put hands in pocket for anything and everything already paid for. Not even 3 weeks being home we booked another trip for the next summer so with us it was the other way around. Very unbelievable but Im glad

 

[Chelley00]

DS 17 went with us once when he was 12, and refuses to go again. We had the perfect trip.....perfect weather, no lines, great meals etc. He said it was just too babyish, the rides aren't thrill rides and boring and he's just not into Disney. Yes, we wrote him out of the will

Our last trip he couldn't come until the end of our trip because of basketball, so we went to Disney first without him, then took him to Universal. He was much happier, and well still got to go to Disney

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

I think some people dont find doing activities to be a vacation, they would rather be laying on a beach. My relatives just came back and they said they would never go back. They said they had to wait too long for buses, her husband could not get chew easily, etc. I personally like to have lots of stuff to do on vacation like rides to ride and a multitude of restaurants to choose from! For some, thats not fun.

 

[melly]

One would have to be pretty "sad' not to enjoy themselves.
I just couldnt comprehend it.

there is nothig to comprehend. Different people like different stuff.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I see a problem with people not liking disney. We all have different tasts that is why we have Reggae and Classical, romance and sci fi. I mean today I spent several hours weeding my allotment, to me bliss to another boring its not right or wrong its different pleasures. Disney is not for all people.

 

[bellaDisneydncr]

The only people I know who didn't like Disney were people who usually just liked to lay around and relax on their vacations (and in real life...). The idea of going all day long just wasn't fun to them- now my family on the other hand, that's exactly what we like to do! Probably why we've been there so many times! haha

 

[PrincessBelle87]

Someone may have pointed this out before but I'm too lazy to read all the responses

Anyway, I don't think not enjoying WDW has everything to do with not planning. Of course, this happens to a lot of people. But I think saying that the only reason people don't like it is b/c they're insufficient planners is the wrong assumption. The first time I went to WDW was in 2000. I went with my family (parents and brother). When we got back, i was DYING to go again...but my parents said the next time I went would be with MY kids And yes, we planned. Quite a bit actually. Nor did we rush.

Obviously, there are different vacations for different people. My parents "had fun"...but WDW is just not for them. Theme parks in general are not for them. And that's ok. Not everyone has to LOVE it, nor should people imply that there's something wrong with those who don't. Besides, wouldn't we rather have less people in the parks anyway?

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I've read stories on the boards about people who didn't like Disney because unfortunately they didn't do any research and didn't understand how Disney worked. They either only went to one park, or thought FastPasses cost money or didn't make dining reservations and tried to walk into a restaurant.

Another way to go to Disney and not enjoy yourself is to go with someone that just causes problems and/or isn't enjoying themselves. For example, going with another couple who are on the verge of a divorce. Yeah, that was fun.

And then there are people who just don't like Disney. Or people who expected more amusement park type thrill rides. Or people who don't like the heat. Or people who don't like crowds.

 

[LaurenLC]

I'm not sure.. I'll ask my sister-in-law that came with us a few years ago and acted as if she was at the dentist's for 7 days.

 

[CdnCarrie]

The only people I know who didn't like Disney were people who usually just liked to lay around and relax on their vacations (and in real life...). The idea of going all day long just wasn't fun to them- now my family on the other hand, that's exactly what we like to do! Probably why we've been there so many times! haha

Some people like to go out and see the world. Go to South America, India, the Far East, Australia. They don't want to go to a theme park. It's not right or wrong. It's not how they plan their WDW vacation. It's what it is.

 

[marie1203]

Yeah my friend had a horrible time in disney but that was her husband fault. She has 2 kids a 4 year old and a 1 year old, her husband sleep in everyday left her to handle both kids by herself. She couldn't ride any ride until her husband came around, her stroller was too big didn't fit anywhere. She was so tired of trying to enjoy herself. My husband fill in the shoes a couple of times but we had different reservations and plans so overall she has a horrible time it didn't help she didn't listen to me about the planning which only made her life more difficult.

 

[Planogirl]

I agree that some people just like different things and it's not just laying on the beach. My brother in law loves to go hunting but I think it's mostly so he can get out into the woods. Others like to go skiing or mountain climbing or spelunking or whatever.

I also know a few people who love to tour historic places. Others like to "party". A few like Vegas. Some enjoy learning about other cultures. Some enjoy shopping. Some like fancy spas. The list goes on.

There are a lot of things a person can do besides go to themeparks or to the beach. My preference is themeparks but I also like some historic places and seeing some foreign places. I also adore mountains. There is something to be said for exploring.

 

[Quicked Ween]

I agree that WDW is not for everyone. But there are two things that bother me about certain people with their perpetual "You're going AGAIN??"...yes, we are going again in Aug for FD for 11 days, the 6th time in 6 years....first time going in August.

Oh God, this is my grandmother. Yes we're going again. Yes we just "did" Disney 6 months ago. Please get over it. We like the mouse. Accept it.

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 see some people didn't like your response, but I have to agree with you. Most of the people that I've met that hate Disney are too cool for school. They're also very uptight and not someone you would want to go on a vacation with anyway.

Hey, I have to agree. I have some in-laws that are pessimistic, negative types and they LOVE to remark, "weren't just there and are you going AGAIN?" Why do they feel they have to ask this? It seems as if they know we will be having a great time and they are jealous.
And as for the price, I priced out another vacation and when I was done including the costs for the things we would be doing, it was almost the same as Disney and offered so much less.

And there you have it.


I definitely think that if you're taking someone with you to WDW and it's their first time, please take them when the crowds aren't crazy and it's not 100 degrees. I just don't see how anyone can hate Disney. Grow tired of it, sure (I don't want to see WDW for at least another 6 months so that I can "miss" it). But hate it? Blasphemy.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Don't forget the people who LOVE Las Vegas. DH and I just don't get it.....but people go there every year and cannot understand WDW folks.

I have been at WDW with someone who was willing to give it a try....and by lunch he was ready to leave. I can tell you....it's not fun for anyone if you have someone in your group who is miserable.

It's not for everyone. That doesn't make them bad people.....just different than we are.

Yeah, I don't get the whole gambling thing either. Sure, I spend money on my WDW trip, but at least I'm getting something out of it.

Oh well, like I said, I feel bad for the ones who don't get it, but on the up side, more room for those of us who love it.

OT but a PP said that someone's husband couldn't get "chew"..what is that?

 

[Disney93]

I have just finished reading all 6 pages here and feel it is my turn to add to this subject.

Planning is so important, just don't overdo it. We are making our 13th trip this October and are planning only one sit down meal together. There will be 9 of us including 5 kids so a tight schedule doesn't work for us. Also finding a place that all of us will enjoy is tough.

Give yourself room. Rather than seeing how many people you can get into one room, maybe more rooms is the answer. Our last trip was for 12 nights and we stayed in the Grand Villas @ the BW. Lots of room but we still were always together. Our trip this year will be spent in 3 rooms, better for everyone.

Maybe splitting up into smaller groups will help. Not everyone wants to do the same thing. Don't try to see everything your first trip, it was after our 3rd trip that I felt we had seen it all and that was before AK was built. You don't have to be the first one in the park or the last one to leave everyday. Pick activities that you want to do and focus on them, don't try to do it all. Plan down time, kids and adults get tired and that makes it hard on your whole party.

I read one post that said they were too old to stay on property, these were teenagers. I hope I never get that old, I'm almost 60. My DW and I spent a week here for our 25th anniversary, it was great.

For all the people that don't like WDW, I think they would be unhappy at other places as well if they don't plan. Don't like crowds? then go during the slower times. Don't like the heat? then go during the cooler months. Then there are some that you can't please. For them, leave them home to watch your dog and water your plants. WDW is a frame of mind, if you enjoy life and your family....Please come.

 

[MrsHeg]

We were there the weekend of January 2, 2009 - it was a quick return trip because I wanted to see the Osbourne lights. It was so crowded that we were miserable. Had that been our first trip it very well could have been our last, so yes I can definitely understand why some people don't enjoy it.

Turns out it was the first of six trips last year, and as you can see by my ticker we have a couple planned this year too.

 

[luvdisney00]

My whole family loves Disney. It is great that we can go on a vacation that we all look forward to and enjoy so much. Our extended family however, just don't get it. My mother, his mother our siblings just shake their heads and wonder why we want to go back. I don't mind though, I really don't want any of them to come with us anyway, it is a very special time for just the 5 of us and going with anyone else would probably drive me nuts.