Is something wrong with me? (long-disney related)

[2BigKIdz]

I am 31 years old (gee, that is so hard to believe!) and last month was my very first trip to Magic Kingdom. As a child, I begged to go, it was one of my biggest wishes to go to Disney World. But we rarely went on vacation, and when we did it was not very far from our home in VA because my mom took care of my grandmother,who was in poor health and could not travel for long periods.

My husband and I made our first trip to Orlando on a delayed honeymoon in April of '99. We went to Universal one day and Sea World the next (I really love marine animals so Sea World was a must for us). 2 parks in 2 days was enough for us so we didn't make it to MK, I was a little disappointed, but I had touched a dolphin, so that made up for it.

Our next trip was in May 2003 with our nephew (19yr), my best friend and her son (10yr). Our priority this trip was Discovery Cove and Islands of Adventure. 10 days and we still didn't make it to MK, but we made plans that week for our next trip to definitely include MK!

After finding these boards and reading so many wonderful things about MK, that was what I was most excited about this trip. I just couldn't wait to ride Space/Splash Mtn, POTC and HM. We checked in on Saturday and hit MK on Sunday. (It was me, my husband (31 yr), nephew (13yr), niece (11yr), best friend (30yr) and her son (11 yr). My friend and her son had been in 2002 for a total Disney vacation with her sister (dvc owner and totally Disney obsessed )

Now to the point of all of this- I was disappointed in MK. I enjoyed all of the rides we went on except BTMRR (too rough- and we were lied to by one of the employees at the ride but that's a different story). We didn't make Splash Mtn.- we had express passes for 4:30pm but it was storming and the ride closed, poured from 3pm-9pm that day. Our niece refused to ride most things, even Goofy's rollercoaster! I just didn't feel the excitement (or "magic") that I had anticipated feeling.

My husband absolutely hated MK! The only ride he liked all day was Space Mtn. He said MK is the worst park he has ever been to. No he is not a thrill ride addict, he LOVES Universal Studios.
He also loves Disney Quest, it is definitely not an anti-Disney vibe, he was excited about his first trip too. He thought the theming was really outdated and did not compare to Universal. (flame away)


I liked MK, don't take this the wrong way, but it just wasn't what I expected. I thought I would be transported back to childhood, and I wasn't. It was just another day at a park. Could it be because I don't have any nostalgia from visits as a child? The weather? My husband's negative view? Dealing with a "chicken" who wouldn't ride? Or I built it up in my head and it just couldn't live up to the expectations? I'm not sure what the answer is, but I needed to get this off my chest.


Am I still welcome on the boards?

 

[Amberle3]

Now keep in mind that it's been several years since I was at WDW.

I've always had a "thing" for Disneyland. I just love the place. I love walking through it, I love just being in there. I'll walk through the gates, through the berm and (were there no crowds) would just stand there and practically inhale the surroundings. To me, it's magic.

The only time so far I've been to WDW was before Epcot was built. I've been resisting going for years because, frankly, I didn't like it at all when I was there. Maybe it's because I was a kid, but it just didn't have anywhere close to the same feel that Disneyland did.

We're heading to WDW next year and yes, I'm definitely looking forward to going back. But I still have this nagging voice in the back of my mind that maybe I'm not really going to like it as much as I like Disneyland. Part of what I love about Disneyland is the intimacy of the park, and the pure magic of being in what's really a relatively small space and yet one area is so totally and completely different from another.

As for your situation, I think there might have been several factors involved. I did a DL trip with my aunt once, she claims to love the parks. She complained about everything. We had to stop at every single smoking area, and I think she spent most of her park time in those. She didn't like the walking, she didn't like the rides, she didn't like the crowds, it was all too expensive.

And speaking of crowds, those can certainly impact the enjoyment of a trip. I love doing DL in off-season, it's so much quieter. Unfortunately the next 2 times I'll be there are: Christmas, and then summer. I think I have to plan a trip for the following October just to get "my" time in the park!

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

I think there are a lot of factors into it.

You had expections of what it would be like from a young age when you were begging to go, those expectations were from a childs standpoint and probably didn't change much as you got older. It's different as an adult. I personally haven't been to WDW since 1986 or so, but I've been to DL and DLP since then. I still get excited, I love the atmosphere, yes it's dated, but it takes me back to a simpler time when I could just go and have fun and not worry about life around me.

DHs attitude could certainly play a roll, mine has been informed that no matter how pissy he is it will not ruin my time at Disney.

Going with a child that's scared (my DS is that way) can put a damper on things if you're not ready for it. But giving them a hard time about it makes for a nasty attitude too.

I'm looking forward to our upcoming trip, for me since it's been so long and I do have such fond memories from my childhood there. For my kids so I can see it through their eyes again, the wonder and amazement they have and the sheer joy, there's nothing like it in the world! My DD is obsessed, we took her almost a year ago, she wasn't even two yet, and she's still talking about the trip! DS wants to try new things, and the baby is just tagging along.

As far as Universal, it's just a different park, it caters to a different group of people. We did Universal in California and I wasn't so impressed, sure there's stuff to do but DS was bored out of his mind. We're doing 7 days at Disney this time and one or two at Universal for DH since the majority of the rides there are for him.

I think you're still welcome, but you might want to stick to the universal boards

 

[RNMOM]

I didn't start going to WDW till I was 40 yrs old and I have to say MK is my least favorite park. We usually hit it once late in the day for the parade and fireworks. Sometimes the boys ride some rides but we find much more magic at the studios or Epcot.

 

[shortbun]

Let's see-rained all day, neice too scared to ride at age 11!?,
too many people with you for first trip( a nice trip for 2 would have
been good) and you didn't even get to ride my favorite ride!!!!
Our last trip, DS wanted to skip MK. His fav is MGM for the rides
and he loves EPCOT too. I would never skip MK but it's more
a magic thing than actually loving the rides-but, hey, did you
ride Buzz Lightyear?? Don't worry, I think you might have
more fun with a combo of parks. It's ok, you are not the first
to have a rough first visit. Six hours of rain might have dampened
your spirit-leave your neice at home!(sorry little neicey!)
mimi

 

[Danauk]

I agree with rnmom, the MK is probably my least favourite park. DH and I are in our late 20's and have no kids. We love going to WDW but prefer MGM and Epcot and even the AK (although I love animals) over the MK. I too was disapointed with the rides there. Having been to the MK at Disneyland Paris I thought the rides would be like the ones there, but they are not. Don't get me wrong I did enjoy the MK, especially the shops on mainstreet but would probably only choose to go back there in the evening to watch the fireworks and to see the castle lit up.
Like the OP I begged to go to WDW as a child but my parents prefered to holiday in Europe as travelling to America from England is expensive before you add the cost of WDW on to that. So I can empathise as I too was disapointed with the MK. I think what made up for it for me though was going to all the other parks and staying on site (we stayed at the BCV) so that made up for the loss of Disney magic I felt in the MK. Next time you are in Orlando visit some of the other Disney parks and take a look around the hotels- perhaps stay on site for a few days if you can. I'm sure that will bring the Disney magic back for you.

 

[issa]

Its my favorite.

But then again..I went several times as a child..I remember going to the "new park" epcot..and thinking it really sucked as a kid...I Still have that perception of future world. I just dont like it.

But MK...its like i walk under that train bridge and ..wow..main street..the popcorn vendors and the candy store..everything down to the street lights and the painting on the windows makes me feel like life is good. Walking and looking up at the castle. Best is on a sunday morning EE..the park is virtually empty and everything is quite and fresh. Just nothing like it in my mind.

I love the PoTC..SM..BTMR.. heck I still have to ride its a small world ! its not because the best rides are there...the feel good rides are there. Some of the best times I have had ..doing nothing - sitting at Tom sawyers island playing checkers for hours ..watching the raft go by and sitting in a rockin chair.
Some would say - waste hours on checkers at disney!! what a waste of money! - but we have annual passes..we know were going back...and that is one of the BEST memories I have of my frist adult trip back. The thing that mades MK special to me is the time I spent "smelling the flowers " there..all the little details that others seem to rush by to get to the next ride.

At night..it just is magical to me, Holding my love's hand as stroll by the moat. I love watching my daughter explore..seeing her with a princess....or now ..since she too has been several times...giving a new kid pointers.

Mk just holds a lot of very special memmories...so maybe I look at it through rose colored glasses.

 

[pw2pp]

Of course you are welcome on these boards.
I just had to add that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is my FAVORITE ride at the Magic Kingdom. We love to go for e-night and ride on it over and over and over again, since there are no lines.

"This here's the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness......"

 

[Mamu]

I don't think of the MK as an amusement park. Sure there's lots of rides that add to the enchantment of this Magical Place. If you go for just the rides you'll miss the Magic the Kingdom has to offer.