Is it our nostalgia that brings us back to Disney?

[JZCubed]

*This is not an "I hate Disney post"*

We just got back from a 9 day trip.

We had a really good time. I hated all the work that has to be put in and I think Genie is a terrible program, but if you play by their rules / jump through their hoops, you can make the trip enjoyable.

However, this was my first trip with my kids (5 and 8) and I'm really wondering if we'll ever go back. Not because we didn't have a good time, more so because I don't know if my kids would want to do it again, if given other choices. We did both Universal and WDW and they preferred Universal. I did too. We loved the Express Pass and we were blown away by both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. We were similarly blown away by Galaxy's Edge (but that has nothing to do with core Disney).

But here's the thing. My kids have no attachment to Disney. There is so much more available to them, entertainment-wise, than what we had as kids. For my generation, Sunday night was Wonderful World of Disney. There were Disney cartoons on TV. Mickey's Christmas Carol was on every year at Christmas time. I also grew up in Southern CA, so day trips to Disneyland happened multiple times a year. Both my kids watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse when they were really young, but they barely remember it and would never sit through it if I put it on now. They watch Disney+ but not for anything related to Disney characters.

We went on pretty much everything in WDW, at least once. Here is the (abbreviated) list of rides they didn't want to redo:
Frozen
Na'vi
Pirates
Peter Pan
Small World
Barnstormer
People Mover
Tomorrowland Speedway
Jungle Cruise

This was my first time on Frozen / Na'vi and if I had to wait 90+ minutes to ride those, I would have been extremely disappointed. Thankfully, we did them with Genie / Deluxe hours.

This pretty much left us with the thrill rides. That was fine with me, but it took a lot of work (Genie+, arriving early, staying late, extra hours, etc) to make it possible to keep repeating them.

The park entertainment was light, at best. Since they have no real attachment to Disney characters, the meet / greets weren't missed. They had no desire to reserve a spot for fireworks hours in advance. We did watch them from our room, before heading back into MK. They liked them, but I haven't heard them mention fireworks as one of their favorite things from the trip.

So that brings me back to my original title. Are we hoping to recreate those feelings we had with Disney as kids? IMO, there is nothing wrong with that. I just think it's a tough task if your kids aren't exposed to Disney the way we were as kids.

Is it worth the cost, the crowds, the hoops Disney has and the planning years in advance? For some, it's a resounding yes. For others, it's a no. For us, I don't know. I know I wouldn't bring it up again as a "hey, do you guys want to back to Disney World". I would only consider it if they asked. I am confident though, if given the choice of going back to Universal or Disney, they'd pick Universal. Especially since they will be older / taller next time, able to get on more coasters and the third park will be open. Maybe we'd pop over to Disney for a day to re-visit Galaxy's Edge.

Anyone else feel the same after a recent trip with kids?

Excellent post.

We had a very similar experience this past summer.

While Disney seems to stand still in expanding the total number of attractions, we are anxiously awaiting the Universal expansion with the intent on spending more time at existing Universal Parks in the interim period.

However, I will add, children as young as 5 & 8 are not the best barometer. "Hotel swimming pool," is the most likely response when asked their favorite part of their Disney vacation (and that was long before Genie). I always joke that swimming pool is the response because that's where parents can enjoy a cocktails and no-lines. The Universal Express Pass is simply superior to Disney's Genie (and kids get that good-vibe from the parents, like watching parents enjoy a cocktails at the swimming pool).

As to attractions being outdated, Universal has more than their own fair share, and some of the jokes in both ride queues and visible around their Parks are a bit too 'adult' for many younger Disney customers. Also, even having some animatronics (like at Disney) has benefits over the screen-based 3-D experiences that are seemingly too prevalent at Universal. Oddly enough, Disney typically has more & better entertainment, but decisions made to manage the pandemic had Universal offering more choice just a few months ago. However, the abbreviated Lion King show that returned & likely abbreviated Nemo show (when it returns) are a bad trend that will likely continue with Disney entertainment (with the pandemic just being an excuse to cut costs permanently).

Amusement & Theme Parks are good clean fun with something for the entire family. Disney was always 'something more' because you felt immersed way beyond, let's say a Six Flags experience. With the exception of Potter World, Universal is someplace between Disney & Six Flags; Galaxy's Edge is less impressive than Potter World.

In the end, like you, we were impressed by Universal during the same trip where Disney gave us noticeably less for more money - the anecdotes about Genie and ongoing entertainment cost-cutting highlight the trend.

 

[JakeAZ]

OP didn't say they preferred not to repeat the slow rides, they said the kids didn't want to.

When I was younger, I didn't mind the slow rides. But when I was younger, it was easier to get on rides. Now, I feel like I'm "wasting" my park time by going on something like IASW or PP. You only have a finite amount of time each day and if you're going to try and maximize the thrill rides, you have to sacrifice the slow ones.

 

[JakeAZ]

However, I will add, children as young as 5 & 8 are not the best barometer. "Hotel swimming pool," is the most likely response when asked their favorite part of their Disney vacation (and that was long before Genie).

While this is usually the truth on our trips, the pool hasn't cracked the top 10 of the many, many, many, many (did I mention "many"?) lists of favorites they have told us about! haha

My older son, who is a Harry Potter nut, rates Forbidden Journey, Gringotts, Hagrid's and Space Mountain at the top of his lists. My younger one, who is more into Star Wars, put Millennium Falcon and SDMT at the top of his (he's under 48, so couldn't get on Forbidden or Hagrid's).

I am hopeful if we return to UO that Hagrid's is on Express Pass by then. That is a phenomenal roller coaster!

 

[JZCubed]

While this is usually the truth on our trips, the pool hasn't cracked the top 10 of the many, many, many, many (did I mention "many"?) lists of favorites they have told us about! haha

My older son, who is a Harry Potter nut, rates Forbidden Journey, Gringotts, Hagrid's and Space Mountain at the top of his lists. My younger one, who is more into Star Wars, put Millennium Falcon and SDMT at the top of his (he's under 48, so couldn't get on Forbidden or Hagrid's).

I am hopeful if we return to UO that Hagrid's is on Express Pass by then. That is a phenomenal roller coaster!

One morning we 'rope dropped' Hagrid, another morning we immediately grabbed a Hagrid via virtual queue. Express Pass is superior to Genie.

At Universal, Hagrid & Gringott's are my favorites. But watching my daughter on her first real coaster at Universal this past summer was simply priceless. She was totally scared.....and had the best time!! Rip Rocket is her new favorite.

At Disney, Flights of Passage is my favorite, with Rise of Resistance not too far behind (maybe because my daughter makes trouble with the Imperial soldiers), with Splash Mountain in third. And like Small World & Carousel of Progress, I was born in Flushing, Queens in the mid-1960's, so they too are on my 'short-list'. Rise is my daughters favorite at Disney, with Everest being close behind.

 

[Miffy]

The heck with the past. I love WDW right now. It's the theming and immersive experience that I enjoy the most.

I've never been to Uni, but I gather that Diagon Alley has a similar all-in, themed atmosphere, which I'd probably really enjoy despite my not caring at all about Harry Potter.

I didn't care about Avatar but I love the Pandora area and rides. I'm not much of a Star Wars person, either, but I love SWGE and RotR.

Immerse me, theme me, and I'm yours. It's experiential, not nostalgic.

 

[disneyseniors]

As far as nostalgia? Yes, it plays a big part in our trips. We started going to WDW in l977 with our kids. They loved it, as we did. We've had other trips when they were older and they liked it, but could do without it. As the years have gone by and there have been many changes we do not agree with, the nostalgia for us has been lost. It no longer plays a part in our decision to not go to WDW again. Our kids and grandkids would rather go to Universal or an Island in the tropics, state parks, and other areas than disney.

So our grandkids/kids won't carry on the tradition of WDW in the future, it seems. They want to see and do other things in the US now. They did love Universal, but no nostalgia attached there either.
So for us who grew up on Sunday night's Wonderful World of Disney and had the nostalgia, it seems it is gradually slipping away.

 

[snikki]

I don’t think it’s nostalgia for me. I didn’t start going until I was an adult, married and with my oldest when he was 3 It was somewhere I always wanted to go but we were poor and never vacationed as kids.

I believe I go because I actually enjoy it as a vacation destination. We also don’t go every year. We go to Disney every 2-3ish years and vacation other places every year. So when we go to Disney it’s because we want that kind of vacation. I do love the magic feeling at the parks. I enjoy the theming, rides and vibe of the parks and resort.

Disney vacations have always been expensive. No level of nostalgia could have me paying those prices multiple times a year. I actually have to enjoy the trip to spend that kind of money.

My oldest is 21 and he’s “over” Disney and wants to see the world. I offered him a mom/son trip and he declined. My DD is 16 and the nostalgia may keep her going. She loves Disney and we do mom/daughter trips. She refuses universal. She only wants to go to Disney.

 

[stinkpickle]

For the time being, nostalgia is one of our biggest motivators.

 

[DisneyFive]

A large part of it is the nostalgia and memories, yes.

The problem now? Disney World is much harder to recognize versus what we experienced and loved back between 2010 and 2018. We all know what those changes have been over the last year, and some others like DME ending soon.

Dan

 

[DSLRuser]

service and attention to detail are what bring me back. cost is just a by product of that high level of service.

Disney is the one place I can go and my cares go away and I truly relax because I know I am being cared for.

 

[Jrb1979]

The heck with the past. I love WDW right now. It's the theming and immersive experience that I enjoy the most.

I've never been to Uni, but I gather that Diagon Alley has a similar all-in, themed atmosphere, which I'd probably really enjoy despite my not caring at all about Harry Potter.

I didn't care about Avatar but I love the Pandora area and rides. I'm not much of a Star Wars person, either, but I love SWGE and RotR.

Immerse me, theme me, and I'm yours. It's experiential, not nostalgic.

For me that doesn't work. As great as theming is, I need the physical side of things to excite me. For me the majority of Disney rides are one and done. Take Cedar Point, when I go I usually ride most coasters 7-8 times when I'm there. I need the G forces to get me going.

As far as this thread goes, I have to agree with what the OP said. I honestly believe a big part is parents wanting to continue the magic through their kids. My nieces went when they were 5 and 6 and loved it. Now they are 12 and 13 they have no interest. They want to places like Cedar Point. They only care about bigger and faster.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

I'm one of those that started going as an adult when my wife first "dragged" me there in '09. Although a huge fan of Disney movies and characters as a kid my family never even had a thought to visit so I never grew up wanting to go. I honestly thought my wife was crazy when she mentioned it. She really twisted my arm to go and I reluctantly said yes.

I remember boarding the magical express...the cheesy video that played on the old CRT style tvs...and something happened. There was this little feeling that started to grow. And we got to our hotel, Coronado Springs and as I walked through the theming that feeling began to grow...and we were late for dinner at Narcoosees and I forget how but we took the monorail there and it was pouring like a bastard and I can still remember the smell of the hot Florida rain and the feel as we rushed into the restaurant. And the amazing dinner. And then...the music started...and the fireworks over the castle...and as I watched from the Narcoosees terrace...I swear something just clicked. This is what I was missing and in that moment I felt like I had known it my whole life. When Pete talks about his first experience walking into MK I can relate so much.

We've been back many times since then until '18 and the feeling was always the same. I don't know if I can call it nostalgia...I think for those that have been going since childhood then nostalgia is a more apt term. I just have a feeling...me and my wife...however with that said...we wanted to bring our toddler for his first trip and of course COVID ruined it the first time, then we planned it again this summer but aborted mission again and now honestly...reading everyone's somewhat negative experiences makes me not want to go. I don't want to go because I'm afraid of losing that feeling because of what it's become now. I don't want to be let down. But at the same time me and my wife can't wait to see the wonder and joy in our kid's eye even if the experience isn't what it "used to be". I mean we still watch Wishes on YouTube so...yeah we're sappy for sure. But to the OP can definitely see your point and if I had gone these last two years I might've experienced what you experienced. Here's hoping Disney rights the ship when it comes to how much they care about parks experiences so as to keep future generations of kids experiencing the same feelings we did.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I think nostalgia plays a small role for me, but its much more than that. The pure joy and happiness I feel as I drive under those gates the first time each trip is totally unmatched by anywhere else. I truly feel like I have escaped reality.

The magic and experience they provide is top notch.

After 30+ trips in about 30 years, my love for WDW continues to grow, especially over the last 2-3ish years. And I only see that love getting stronger.

 

[What-r-ya Goofy?]

Thanks to everyone that posted on this thread. It is very interesting reading everyone's personal take on this topic. I think I can relate to each in some way.

I hope the new decision makers at Disney see this thread and that it helps them better understand what makes Disney magical for so many people.

 

[Jrb1979]

Thanks to everyone that posted on this thread. It is very interesting reading everyone's personal take on this topic. I think I can relate to each in some way.

I hope the new decision makers at Disney see this thread and that it helps them better understand what makes Disney magical for so many people.

I agree with some of that. I still think they need some more thrills throughout the parks. IMO it would help keep those families like mine wanting to come back.

Another thing I did want to say is I have noticed is it feels like many Disney fans don't do other parks much.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I agree with some of that. I still think they need some more thrills throughout the parks. IMO it would help keep those families like mine wanting to come back.

Another thing I did want to say is I have noticed is it feels like many Disney fans don't do other parks much.

I know I'm just speaking for myself, but I go to Universal every year. Also always have a Cedar Fair platinum pass every year and go to CP/KI/KD multiple times, sometimes throw Carowinds in there. And I also usually get a Hersheypark and BGW season pass each year, or at least go to each once or twice every year. None of those even come remotely close to touching WDW for me though as a whole. But I do enjoy the thrill rides those parks have over Disney.

 

[peabody58]

Very much nostalgic for us. I was emotionally tied to WDW back in 1977 when my first wife and I attended a Special Event at the MK. I was going to Navy Nuclear Power School in Orlando (base is long gone now) and we were poor as dirt. I vividly remember we were very hunger while touring the CR and wanted to try the TOTW restaurant. We were too poor to even afford the cheapest thing on the menu. Told myself that I would return one day.

Well my new DW and our kids finally returned in the early '90's and even though I still hadn't made it up to Deluxe level yet or a visit to the CG, the CR still took my breath away and filled me with so much joy, especially seeing the monorail ride thru the lobby. Our 2 DD's and use were fortunate enough to ride in the monorail cab and get home video before they stopped letting guests ride up front.

Then in 2010, we finally stayed in a Deluxe at the WL. We were introduced to DVC and bought during that trip at BLT for the nostalgic memories and location. We felt like we had finally made it and we were so blessed. Our adult DD and their husbands have joined us now on several trips, and we're pleased to say that I finally got to experience CG many times as well as new TOTWL at BLT.

Now that we are retired, in Georgia, WDW is our easy to access Happy Place that always brings joy as soon as we enter the property.

 

[loves to dive]

Maybe but who knows. I didn't go to Disney as a child, my first trip to WDW was as a 20 something adult with my almost 3 year old son. We both fell in love on that trip. Had nothing to do with Mickey Mouse or rides, it was just something. We went to Universal on the front end of a Disney trip when was around 8 or so and he wasn't impressed and ready to get back to Disney. We went again, on the front end of a trip, after he became an adult. Again, both of us were ready for Disney. In all fairness there were a number of factors at work. Both trips were before Universal had their own resorts so one trip we stayed in Orlando and the second we stayed in a resort across the street (I think it was a Hampton). My son loved roller coasters so he rode them all (me reluctantly) and it was before Harry Potter. I'm not even sure if there were two parks. We were bored, yes we rode rides and they were fun (at least for him) but we had two days booked and I had bought tickets for two days and we really didn't want to be there for two days.

Now days, it's by design. He has nerve damage in his spine so can't ride thrill rides, he can't even ride EE and has to really plan his day well if he wants to ride BTMR. He and I can't ride the 3D rides, even FoP makes me sick, not him but Star Tours does. A lot of Universal rides rely on that. So, while Hogwarts would be fun to visit for a day, we have talked about it and price of getting a two park ticket just to see that doesn't seem worth it. I would like to stay at some of the resorts there and we have talked about doing that for a couple of days and maybe doing Universal one day and Sea World another (we drive down so have a car) but then we think about that would mean missing two days at WDW and just say nope. So he went to both places as a child and a young adult and still preferred WDW.

We do other vacations as well. We are both scuba divers (so is hubby) so we take dive vacations. We love history so we take long weekends to Biltmore House in NC, Jekyll Island here in Georgia. One year, he his then fiance and myself flew to NM, rented a car and travelled around the state. I went to high school there so it was a visit home for me. We own a 5th wheel RV so hubby and I take it around Georgia and Florida and camp. But WDW will always be my son and my go to place. Through the years we have taken his girlfriends, now ex-wife and just recently his SO and their baby but it is still a place for us to go and relax.

 

[TB'sWidow]

I went to Disney world as an adult at 33 yrs old with Dh and my kids , I fell in love with the feeling it gives me when I’m there and the memories I have made. I recently went on a thanksgiving week and I had been upset about all the prices for things that were free before. I kept saying this would be my last trip as I was so upset at the changes but as soon as I stepped into the Magic Kingdom looking at the castle my anger subsided and I had a wonderful time. Yes there were a few bumps on this trip but I will go back not as often but I will.

 

[kathy884]

It's fun and maybe a tiny bit of nostalgia for me, but more having fun being a kid than anything else that keeps me coming back.

My last time to the Magic Kingdom was in February of 2019 (quick two night stay in Orlando before a cruise out of Cape Canaveral). DH who doesn't care for theme parks stayed at our nice hotel (Marriott Residence Inn SeaWorld) -- He was happy reading there with the nice ambience and likes the food they offer there too. I went to the MK with my nephew who lives in Orlando who is in his mid 20s and my son who traveled with us and was going on the cruise with us who is also in his mid 20s. We were all wearing Micky Ears from previous trips. It was just such a blast. We started out on the little street cars that go down Mainstreet and decided to wave to everyone we saw. We got big smiles and lots of waves back. Here we were three adults and we got in line to get our pictures with some of our favorite princesses (Tiana is my nephew's new favorite and we did photos with another princess too). Two years earlier our adult group went to get photo with Arial. And the trip before that we did Mary Poppins. What a total blast! We rode Dumbo and waved at everyone. We had Disney music in our head all day and were skipping around. We did the Pirates of the Caribbean scavenger hunt. We joyfully did the cheesy Enhanted Tiki room that I remember my grandmother taking me to. We had our favorite junk food (cheese chili dogs at Casey's Corner - yummy yummy chili cheese dogs). I got a Mickey Bar on Mainstreet later in the day, my favorite WDW splurge (I usually stay away from deserts, but biting off a Mickey Ear is just a special experience). A big part of it of course is who you are with and their joy. I don't know any place else that a 59 year old (my age at the time) can have that much fun acting like a kid. Of course we did some of the headliners rides with fastpasses and even had a touring plan which we deviated from any time we wanted to smell the roses, but headliners rides are not the big deal for us these days (We are more into the simple pleasures of the parks).

Yes those one day tickets are expensive and go up in price every year and go up more than inflation (supply and demand), yes it will cost even more next time as I will probably get LL and Genie + for our party, but yes the way I do Orlando - staying offsite, not doing too many parks, eating moderately priced food and doing some eating in, using frequent flyer miles for the quick direct flight down, it easily fits in my budget. If my joyful son and joyful nephew would like to go again with their aunt, I would absolutely take them again in a heartbeat and make it an every other year experience or every third year. In fact I will be down in Orlando again this coming March -- just being in central Florida in March with the normally gorgeous weather and sitting out at an offsite hotel is an absolute pleasure too. I have lots of joy in my life and travel other really neat places every year too (usually pristine natural places and we do a lot of National Parks too), but it's honestly hard to think of a day where I had as much fun as my last Magic Kingdom day. I can't think of another place that lends itself so easily to an adults being kids experience if you are going with the right people. I'll see what I think in March, but honestly to me none of the changes really matter in the least.