In your opinion what is the most overrated thing in WDW?

[momto4obkids]

But...RR one has raisins. YUCK! Gonna have to disagree with you on this one.

Mmmmm Raisins

 

[bryanb]

You know what I find interesting is that you actually separate the Values from the rest of the options with respects of resort vs hotel

[images]

So call me crazy but I'm not sure how you can consider the Values a hotel but not a resort but the Mods and the Deluxes and the other on-site like Swan & Dolphin as Resorts. And not that's not semantics speaking. That's actual definitions of the words.

ETA: Apologies if I'm misunderstanding what you were saying-I had the podcast going on in the background and I'm not sure if my attention was fully there with this post lol.

Ah, I think there is a misunderstanding. To clarify, I was replying to @jdisnut, who refuses to call the Disney properties "resorts" but calls them "hotels."

I propose that they all qualify as "resorts," because they are geared toward recreation.

But I can see how someone might argue with the term "hotel" for the value properties. Although they may qualify from a dictionary definition, they have fewer amenities that are associated with the term "hotel" and they have "motel"-style room layouts, with doors that face out into the walkways, courtyards and parking lots.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Ah, I think there is a misunderstanding. To clarify, I was replying to @jdisnut, who refuses to call the Disney properties "resorts" but calls them "hotels."

I propose that they all qualify as "resorts."

But I can see how someone might argue with the term "hotel" for the value properties. Although they may qualify from a dictionary definition, they have fewer amenities that are associated with the term "hotel" and they have "motel"-style room layouts, with doors that face out into the walkways, courtyards and parking lots.

Yes there was a slight misunderstanding my bad

On the hotel part I wouldn't agree. They are all resorts-Different amenities for sure for different price points. To me either call them all resorts or call them all hotels but don't make it like the Values are somehow not worthy enough to be considered a resort that's a bit too much for my taste personally.

The outdoor/exterior doors isn't a "Value thing"-I think the suites at AOA have interior though...(I think can't remember for sure). Don't all Mods have that too (meaning exterior doors)?

 

[AngiTN]

They are all resorts-Different amenities for sure for different price points. To me either call them all resorts or call them all hotels but don't make it like the Values are somehow not worthy enough to be considered a resort that's a bit too much for my taste personally.

The outdoor/exterior doors isn't a "Value thing"-I think the suites at AOA have interior though...(I think can't remember for sure). Don't all Mods have that too (meaning exterior doors)?

I agree. I just don't see how you can compare Disney accommodations to anything outside Disney. It just doesn't really have an outside world comparison. It almost goes without saying that what you get for the money you pay at Disney wouldn't work any where else. Few people will argue that it would. I think it does work there very well. I have never felt like I didn't get my monies worth on any of my stays and I've stayed from CL at GF to Pop.

 

[bryanb]

Yes there was a slight misunderstanding my bad

On the hotel part I wouldn't agree. They are all resorts-Different amenities for sure for different price points. To me either call them all resorts or call them all hotels but don't make it like the Values are somehow not worthy enough to be considered a resort that's a bit too much for my taste personally.

The outdoor/exterior doors isn't a "Value thing"-I think the suites at AOA have interior though...(I think can't remember for sure). Don't all Mods have that too (meaning exterior doors)?

I agree. I just don't see how you can compare Disney accommodations to anything outside Disney. It just doesn't really have an outside world comparison. It almost goes without saying that what you get for the money you pay at Disney wouldn't work any where else. Few people will argue that it would. I think it does work there very well. I have never felt like I didn't get my monies worth on any of my stays and I've stayed from CL at GF to Pop.

These are all fair points. I've enjoyed stays at the Pop Century and Port Orleans French Quarter. I don't love the room layout personally and it discourages me from spending a lot of time in the room. In particular, I don't like having a walkway right in front of the window. It almost makes the view irrelevant to me, as I have no intention of keeping the windows open with people walking around at all hours. But the grounds themselves are great. I would not mind staying at any of these resorts again.

I would definitely not choose to stay at a hotel with motel-style layouts (e.g., windows facing the entry walkway) if I were vacationing anywhere else that's not Disney, especially if it were a vacation where I plan to enjoy time in my room.

Let me reiterate and correct the misunderstanding again: I am calling all of the properties resorts. I'm saying that IF someone has an issue with the term resort, it is ironic they would not have an issue with the term hotel.

 

[bladiator]

Can I come and I'll bring the drinks? I love Illuminations.

How can we say no?!?

 

[Tonyz]

I agree. I just don't see how you can compare Disney accommodations to anything outside Disney. It just doesn't really have an outside world comparison. It almost goes without saying that what you get for the money you pay at Disney wouldn't work any where else. Few people will argue that it would. I think it does work there very well. I have never felt like I didn't get my monies worth on any of my stays and I've stayed from CL at GF to Pop.

I think the one resort that could survive outside of Disney is Animal Kingdom Lodge. I think you could put that thing anywhere and it would flourish. It's a work of art and a vacation by itself.

 

[aalan]

Nice work @huskies90 - now I'll do a public service of my own and give a response to each, showing why each is awesome....IN HAIKU FORM!

Dole Whip 10
Not even ice cream
But refreshing and tasty
Context is key here

Be Our Guest 8
Um, in the castle?
The theming is astounding
Food, eh, but so cool!

Parades 5
Yes, a chunk of time
But production values - Wow!
Songs, floats....impressive.

Poly 4
A Disney classic
For some, thoughts of their childhood
It takes us way back

Pandora 4
Pretty bad film, but...
Like stepping in the movie
At least something new

Jungle Cruise 3
Lasseter would say
You've got to embrace the kitsch!
Backside of water!

Fantasmic 3
First water curtains
Was groundbreaking way back when
There's still some "wow" there

Peter Pan 3
Yes, wait is insane
But flying over London!?
Also, new queue helps

Monorail 3
A bit run down, but...
¡Por favor manténgase...
That line takes us back

Dining Plans 3
We love the chance to
Order with impunity
Guilt-Free high spending!

Test Track 3
A great combo of
Technology, design, and
A thrill ride, in one

Meet and Greets 3
Meeting characters
Sets Disney apart - Mickey
Makes it all worth it

Dessert Parties 2
Unlimited sweets?!
And a dedicated view?!
Yeah, I'll splurge a bit

Frozen Ever After 2
The technology
Is neat, and where else
Can you go backwards?

Storm Along Bay 1
A sand-bottomed pool
And a deep lazy river
Plus good treats nearby

Tree of Life Lighting 1
This great park icon
Has now been plussed with effects
Lovely nighttime show

Small World 1
A message of peace
Written during the Cold War
Melts many a heart

Festival of the Lion King 1
Take iconic songs
And mix in flips, jumps, and tricks
And get a great show

Illuminations 1
The World Showcase
Provides a great backdrop for
Blowing out the lights

Figment 1
The upside down room
Is one of the great ride scenes
Kids love the skunk smell

Zebra Domes 1
No, not a souffle
But a tasty, sweet treat and
Resort specific

Boma 1
One of the truly
Unique dining options with
Savory dishes

60 Minute Waits 1
Relax in AC
Enjoy the queue while looking
For hidden mickeys

Tiki Room 1
Walt's original
With some great lines. Glad it's back
To the first version

Victoria and Alberts 1
The awards don't lie
The Prince does have clothes. How do
You say? Nonpareil

Ohana 1
You're tired of them, but
Ohana means family
Treat them with food here

Epcot 1
Reeling a bit, yes.
But the World Showcase still rules
Sights, sounds, tastes, and more

Akershus 1
Now with princesses
So eye candy to go with
Svinekotelett

Contemporary 1
Monorail resort
That stays very fresh and new
Location is great

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique 1
It's hard to complain
When you see the joy in those
Little girls' faces

Chef Mickey's 1
You get to eat and
Meet Mickey while monorail
Whizzes overhead

Via Napoli 1
Water imported
To make pizzas legit - that's
Authenticity!

Star Wars 1
Maybe the most loved
Fictional world ever dreamt
Excited for it

Haunted Mansion 1
Imagineering's
Crowning achievement. I can't...
I mean....b-word, pleeeeease

Turkey Legs 1
Turkey is boring
But the secret is out and
Gimme some emu

Rivers of Light 1
A sorely needed
Nighttime show. Slow, quiet, and
Just right for this park

MVMCP 1
Yes, it's expensive
But no park ticket needed
Lots of great extras

Art of Animation 1
Values can be blah
But this one has more pizazz
Good bang for the buck

Mission Space 1
Not what we had hoped
But a pretty unique ride
Just don't lose your lunch

Gimme some emu!

Nicely done!

 

[jdisnut]

I very much agree if you are just thinking of the hotels themselves, but I think there is enough other value to staying on property that I don't think staying on property is overrated. for example, my last trip I paid $114/night for Pop - was the hotel itself worth that? No way, but I got included transportation to/from the airport , magic band included, and got 2 extra hours in Pandora by staying on site - so all in, I think it was worth it

I agree with this point, and I tried to make that distinction in my initial post. There is definitely value to staying on Disney property that goes beyond the hotel quality, the amenities and the level of service.

 

[Planogirl]

I still think that when they talk overrated/underrated they use the terms wrong. Like, just because they think something is amazing doesn't make it underrated - John was trying to say Big Thunder Mountain is underrated and just not sure how to come to that conclusion with how popular it is and how much basically everyone loves it

I thought that they were discussing what epitomizes Disney to them rather that what is underrated. I might have misunderstood but what means Disney to a person is a pretty interesting question imo.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I thought that they were discussing what epitomizes Disney to them rather that what is underrated. I might have misunderstood but what means Disney to a person is a pretty interesting question imo.

the conversation shifted to that (and I agree it is an interesting topic - I also try to think which of the newer attractions would Walt really like) but it started with "underrated" and I recall John specifically saying he thought Big Thunder Mountain was underrated. Maybe he was thinking of those topics interchangeably- but then that is my point as that is not really what "underrated" means

 

[mirak]

I caused quite a stir with my comments a few pages back and I'm not going to bother trying to reply to each response, which were all pretty similar. A few points:

First, I'm posting here because I recently completed a business trip to a Disney resort. I'm not trolling - I saw a thread and I'm sharing my opinion.

Second, I completely agree that Disney is fun for kids and I said as much. My comments were more directed at the adults who continue to make WDW their premier vacation destination year after year when there is a whole REAL world to explore.

It really is remarkably similar to the folks who are addicted to Vegas. It's all fake, and it's all designed to fleece you of as much money as possible. Like casinos, Disney wants to make the cash dissappear as quickly as possible by encouraging credit cards linked to magic bands. People spend more that way. Like casinos, Disney designs the parks to encourage wandering and spending instead of leaving. Disney has even now removed the price tags from most kids merchandise so that parents literally have to take the toy to the register to find out how much before "deciding" whether to buy it. It's all designed to bring in as much revenue as possible.

Third, one thing that surprised me about the responses was by and large how defensive they were! You don't need to take such offense! The parents who took my comments as a dig at kids with autism was especially weird. You don't need to justify yourself unless you think there's something that needs justifying.

Enjoy Disney! Especially with your young kids! I know I'll be bringing my kids back in a couple years. But if youre a grown up, there's a whole big world to explore!

 

[Disney & ME]

The most overrated thing for me is the Electrical Water Pageant. It's like 5 things lit up. I've seen better ones in my town. If I'm on the ferry heading over to MK and see it...ok fine. But waiting to see it? Never again.

And the one that I'll get killed for here.....Magical Express. Yes it's awesome that we get a free ride to and from the airport. It's still just a bus, even if it plays Disney cartoons. And I know it's the excitement of "almost being there" but still just a bus.

For me the Electrical Water Pageant is a throwback to my childhood. My Dad planned our WDW vacation 2 years in advance and managed to get us a first floor room overlooking the lake at the Poly. It was magical in the 80s to see this show from the beach in front of our room, and it still is for me. I will be watching it again this October from the Poly with my sister with very fond memories!

I do agree with you about the Magical Express (or Tragical Depress as I have heard it called). It is exciting to see all the Disney information on the way to your hotel, but really sad on the way back to the airport. And, my last time with the ME although we left 3 hours early, by the time they stopped at a ridiculous amount of hotels we arrived less than an hour before our flight and almost didn't make it through the long security lines. If we ever do it again, we are going to request 4 hours early which is just ridiculous.

 

[DrunkJam]

I guess, if I think about the actual amount of money I am spending vs days of holiday, distance travelled, world experienced then ALL of WDW is wildly overrated.
But (and I think this is what causes the spending)
When I was a child (many, many years ago) WDW was the dream holiday for every child. I don't think it so much is anymore, but, for me so many of the things are so iconic. I want to take my children and given them that dream childhood.
And, then, I see the things for real, and I am holiday, and I do love them.
So, it is all over rated, but, I still love it.
That sais we are not many times visitors.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I caused quite a stir with my comments a few pages back and I'm not going to bother trying to reply to each response, which were all pretty similar. A few points:

First, I'm posting here because I recently completed a business trip to a Disney resort. I'm not trolling - I saw a thread and I'm sharing my opinion.

Second, I completely agree that Disney is fun for kids and I said as much. My comments were more directed at the adults who continue to make WDW their premier vacation destination year after year when there is a whole REAL world to explore.

It really is remarkably similar to the folks who are addicted to Vegas. It's all fake, and it's all designed to fleece you of as much money as possible. Like casinos, Disney wants to make the cash dissappear as quickly as possible by encouraging credit cards linked to magic bands. People spend more that way. Like casinos, Disney designs the parks to encourage wandering and spending instead of leaving. Disney has even now removed the price tags from most kids merchandise so that parents literally have to take the toy to the register to find out how much before "deciding" whether to buy it. It's all designed to bring in as much revenue as possible.

Third, one thing that surprised me about the responses was by and large how defensive they were! You don't need to take such offense! The parents who took my comments as a dig at kids with autism was especially weird. You don't need to justify yourself unless you think there's something that needs justifying.

Enjoy Disney! Especially with your young kids! I know I'll be bringing my kids back in a couple years. But if youre a grown up, there's a whole big world to explore!

I really don't think you get it. You do realize you are patronizing (and by many many people's standards often as every 3 years is a lot more than most can make it) a place conceived and built with the purpose for all to enjoy not just for kids?

So let me ask this question: Did you spend ANY money at the Grand Canyon, the Rockies, the space shuttle launch, the broadway shows, whale watching, on the medical mission trip, and ALL other things you've taken your family to? Why consider WDW a place to fleece you out of money when I'm willing to bet you spent money on your other vacations too.

But let's be honest here-as nicely as I can put it and and without truly intending to be mean but more of a straightforward way of talking-You continue to convince yourself you're going to Disney for reasons that only you know but do not pretend as if you are somehow better than other people and furthermore put down others (which is why people got defensive) because you can come up with some rationale for going that fits in with your ideals-which I really haven't figured out yet considering you're still going to WDW and have gone a lot more than me (I'm guessing you've gone more than 5 times [the 5th being one that is coming up] in 29 years).

My last point is-have you talked with your children about your philosophy on Disney? Have you told them it's all fake, a facade, a place to just eat people's money and once they hit adulthood (I guess that would be what 18) that they should stop going and should never go again until they have kids of their own because in your eyes its not a place for adults? This seems to be a core part of your opinions on the subject thus is why I even brought it up.

 

[MaizeRage25]

(1) Be Our Guest (lunch, at least) - super crowded in the main room, average food, felt like a fancy cafeteria

(2) Epcot - the whole countries thing does not appeal to me for some reason. TT and FEA are pretty meh. HS is also bad right now but at least there is a light at the end of that tunnel.

(3) Electrical Water Pageant - I can't believe this is a thing. Never saw it as a child so maybe there is some nostalgia factor at play, but made specific time at the Poly to go down and check it out. "THAT'S IT"? was my reaction

(4) Ohana - had the hardest time getting an ADR for the last night of our trip even though we were staying at the Poly. Maybe was an off night but food was just straight bad, no one in our party enjoyed it.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I caused quite a stir with my comments a few pages back and I'm not going to bother trying to reply to each response, which were all pretty similar. A few points:

First, I'm posting here because I recently completed a business trip to a Disney resort. I'm not trolling - I saw a thread and I'm sharing my opinion.

Second, I completely agree that Disney is fun for kids and I said as much. My comments were more directed at the adults who continue to make WDW their premier vacation destination year after year when there is a whole REAL world to explore.

It really is remarkably similar to the folks who are addicted to Vegas. It's all fake, and it's all designed to fleece you of as much money as possible. Like casinos, Disney wants to make the cash dissappear as quickly as possible by encouraging credit cards linked to magic bands. People spend more that way. Like casinos, Disney designs the parks to encourage wandering and spending instead of leaving. Disney has even now removed the price tags from most kids merchandise so that parents literally have to take the toy to the register to find out how much before "deciding" whether to buy it. It's all designed to bring in as much revenue as possible.

Third, one thing that surprised me about the responses was by and large how defensive they were! You don't need to take such offense! The parents who took my comments as a dig at kids with autism was especially weird. You don't need to justify yourself unless you think there's something that needs justifying.

Enjoy Disney! Especially with your young kids! I know I'll be bringing my kids back in a couple years. But if youre a grown up, there's a whole big world to explore!

You still don't get it.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

(2) Epcot

Hallelujah and pass the collection plate! Future World veered off of its theming 20 years ago and the World Showcase is basically a mall.

 

[AngiTN]

I still think that when they talk overrated/underrated they use the terms wrong. Like, just because they think something is amazing doesn't make it underrated - John was trying to say Big Thunder Mountain is underrated and just not sure how to come to that conclusion with how popular it is and how much basically everyone loves it

They did miss the point of the thread, in the end.
The fact that something is rated highly by a lot of people and disliked by some is exactly what makes it qualify as overrated (and vice versa for underrated).
This is why something like Stitch doesn't really qualify. Or Tony's. Neither are rated highly anywhere. So they can't be overrated.
They weren't quite gathering the point of why this has been a fun discussion (few posters aside)
It's been interesting to hear how people feel about various things at Disney and why they value them, or don't. And been able to do it without bashing others opinions (with few exceptions)

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

They did miss the point of the thread, in the end.
The fact that something is rated highly by a lot of people and disliked by some is exactly what makes it qualify as overrated (and vice versa for underrated).
This is why something like Stitch doesn't really qualify. Or Tony's. Neither are rated highly anywhere. So they can't be overrated.
They weren't quite gathering the point of why this has been a fun discussion (few posters aside)
It's been interesting to hear how people feel about various things at Disney and why they value them, or don't. And been able to do it without bashing others opinions (with few exceptions)

Yeah you're right on the Podcast part but I did enjoy hearing their thoughts on it. I sorta took it as how many of our threads stray from the intent lol.

Probably one of the things that I found most interesting on this thread is how many have said Dole Whips lol