Just returned...some observations and thoughts

[tmarquez]

The best thing about going to Disney with a very young child is that you spend all your time watching the child enjoy and take in all the magic around you...instead of being bothered by how total strangers look or what they are doing while on your vacation.

 

[mrFDNY]

Hi all,
I think the op was just writing his opinions,which btw is different for person to person. You get no flames from me,I'm not the flamming type.
One point i wanted to make i think certain issues here on this thread comes from where you grew up and that too is different from person to person. I hear many peolple on this board complain that pop is crowed or very loud. I have stayed at pop 3 different times and did not find that,however i was born and raised and still live in nyc,brooklyn to be exact.We are the city that never sleeps and its true,there is always noise here eithier its a car horn or people talking outside at 3 or 4 am.Its not uncommon to have a traffic jam in front of my house at 2am or 3 or 4 am.Walking the streets in the afternoon it can be you and 200 other people walking the same street with you.So i think while i can see how the crowds and noise might bother some,me and my family are just used to it,we see and hear it daily,so at wdw its no big deal and we don't even notice it,unless we look for it.Anyway just a point i wanted to share with you all.Have a great day all,and get along with each other,please.

 

[frijole]

Well I agree that most overweight people have a medical condition. The majority of them suffer from that awful hand to mouth disease....

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

Ok...I should clarify what I wrote earlier today.
We truly enjoyed our trip and are looking forward to heading back. The attractions have always been first rate (except maybe 'Sounds Dangerous with Drew Carey' at MGM...basically sitting in the dark with headphones for 10 minutes listening to Drew chase down some bad guys....the only clunker we've experienced at WDW). We still loved to see Muppet Vision 3D, Tower of Terror, Pirates of the Caribbean (my wife loved the new Jack Sparrow figures), The Adventurers Club is still a hoot, Thunder Mountain Railroad, the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon, etc etc... All of those are wonderful!! The meals we had were terrific. The Disney cast members were always polite and helpful.
I just wanted to pass on some observations. WDW is a great place to people watch. You'll see and hear just about everything.
The whole weight thing is not just a WDW occurance. It's just a reflection of what our western society is moving towards. Our kids spend more time on their backsides on the computer or Playstations than ever before. They just are not getting the physical activity they should have. It would not surprise me to find out that their trips to the water parks are the most exercise they get all year. At Pop Century, the food court has many fruit cups, fresh fruit and juices to start your day with and it was sad to see so many kids head straight for the desserts and sodas. They'll be eating enough of that during the day, how about at least starting them off with something healthy??
Also, I never said anything about needing to wait while the buses load guests with disabilities or on scooters. WDW is exceptionally accomodating when it comes to people with disabilities. I honestly don't think anyone minds waiting while a driver assists someone boarding the bus first. We spend all day waiting in lines so what is a couple of minutes extra??
Our vacation was not ruined in the least (actually it was comical watching a woman with 3" heels trying to walk through the sand at Typhoon Lagoon). As I said above, we live in a heavy society (I need to lose 25 pounds myself). I was just making observations of what I saw. I was not being judgmental or critical (well trying not to be anyways).
People watching is great at WDW. Sit at a bench for a while and watch and listen to the world pass by. It's interesting. I'm sure any cast members who read these boards can tell dozens of stories of what they encounter daily while working there.

I agree with alot of your statements, especially the whole "bringing babies to DW" thing, but you kind of contradict yourself. You said that people shouldn't work cause there on VACATION!!! But what about those kids you see grabbing coke and ice cream for breakfast? Maybe at home they are forced to eat healthy, but now there on vacation and given the ability to just enjoy their choice of breakfast.

I say, on vacation, you should leave all the work at home and you should be able to eat whatever you want!

 

[scrap4u]

Personally, I think you spent way to much time observing others rather then enjoying your own vacation ...why ?. Also, Large people can enjoy their vaction too.. and shouldn't have to worry about others making remarks as to what they are wearing, eating or doing. I do believe that there are alot of thin parents with over weight children also.

Keliblue--we'll be at POFQ 9/9-9/16 and are attending MNSSHP on 9/15 also! Maybe we'll see you there! We'll have our LGMHPC on!

 

[JR6ooo4]

I am impressed that on your 25th anniversary you can stil smoke up the sheets!

Mikeeee

 

[keliblue]

Well I agree that most overweight people have a medical condition. The majority of them suffer from that awful hand to mouth disease....

This statement is uneducated , unnecessary and cruel !! .

 

[UtahMama]

I sort of liked Sounds Dangerous, BUT it was because my baby was asleep! That would have been a NOT good disney moment if she woke up during it. Would have made a few people mad I brought her in. But she slept, thank goodness! I dont like when parents dont escort freaking out babies out of the attraction. Because I wouldnt want to bug the other people! No, Im not being sarcastic. Plus the attraction was very air conditioned as I recall. It could have been lame???

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I sort of liked Sounds Dangerous, BUT it was because my baby was asleep! That would have been a NOT good disney moment if she woke up during it. Would have made a few people mad I brought her in. But she slept, thank goodness! I dont like when parents dont escort freaking out babies out of the attraction. Because I wouldnt want to bug the other people! No, Im not being sarcastic. Plus the attraction was very air conditioned as I recall. It could have been lame???

Is it just me that is uncomfortable using a headset after other people? I have a fear of getting lice from those.

It just seems so unsanitary. At least the 3D glasses are new (they'd better not be reused), but those are put on head, after head, after head.

I'm not normally a germaphobe, or a worry wart, but those things do bother me. To me they're a lice transporter waiting to happen.

 

[dollcollector1]

Personally, I think you spent way to much time observing others rather then enjoying your own vacation ...why ?. Also, Large people can enjoy their vaction too.. and shouldn't have to worry about others making remarks as to what they are wearing, eating or doing. I do believe that there are alot of thin parents with over weight children also.

Don't be so hard on the OP. People watching is great. There's nothing wrong with that at all .Doesn't this forum encourage Disney vacationers to find fellow Dissers, by spotting the LGMHPCs? Maybe the OP was looking for the lime green ribbons , lime green Mickey heads and other whatnots sported by others.

 

[SUSIEQ]

Is it just me that is uncomfortable using a headset after other people? I have a fear of getting lice from those.

It just seems so unsanitary. At least the 3D glasses are new (they'd better not be reused), but those are put on head, after head, after head.

I'm not normally a germaphobe, or a worry wart, but those things do bother me. To me they're a lice transporter waiting to happen.

OT, but I always thought the 3D glasses were reused.

 

[dollcollector1]

The whole weight thing is not just a WDW occurance. It's just a reflection of what our western society is moving towards.

How true. I remember the old days when the Whopper and Big Mac were considered a HUGE sandwich. Not anymore. Every time I see the new Denny's ad for their super size Grand Slam breakfast, I feel like

 

[NJOGRE]

YOu know what I think about your report, I can't say I would get thrown off the board if I told you. I have a 2 1/2 year old and this november will be her 3rd time. Does she know what going on of course she does thats all she will talk about, and yes she has been talking since since was 13 months old and would probably give any 5 yearold a run for there money. Get al ife and stop judging other people. That is whats wrong with the world today. If everyone could stop judging and get along life and the woirld would be a better place. YOu are probably the type of person if I stopped you in NYC to ask the time you would just kepp going. So enjoy WDW for yourself and not worry about the people or the kids. It would make your experience alot better

 

[NJOGRE]

I also like sounds dangerous, it uses your imagination. You don't need to be overloaded with other peoples ideas how something is supposed to look. Like old time radio.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

OT, but I always thought the 3D glasses were reused.

Yuck.

 

[ddiva]

I'd like to comment on the child obesity concern. First, I am 5'8" and weigh 125lbs and exercise regularly. My 11 year old son weighs more than me, however, I do not purchase junk food, eat fast food, and pack his lunch everyday. He gets the right amount of exercise, as he is always outside playing basketball or football. He's been a big boy his whole life, but we do everything right and his physician has no concerns about his weight. When we go on vacation, the whole family indulges in foods we don't normally partake in. I'm sure that many families do the same. If a child wants to eat a cookie for breakfast, who cares? They're on vacation like the rest of us. Just a thought, but don't judge a book by it's cover.

 

[gonemousin']

I'd like to comment on the child obesity concern. First, I am 5'8" and weigh 125lbs and exercise regularly. My 11 year old son weighs more than me, however, I do not purchase junk food, eat fast food, and pack his lunch everyday. He gets the right amount of exercise, as he is always outside playing basketball or football. He's been a big boy his whole life, but we do everything right and his physician has no concerns about his weight. When we go on vacation, the whole family indulges in foods we don't normally partake in. I'm sure that many families do the same. If a child wants to eat a cookie for breakfast, who cares? They're on vacation like the rest of us. Just a thought, but don't judge a book by it's cover.

I totally agree! My DH and I are VERY strict with our 2 girls - they're restricted to an hour/day of TV or computer (most days go without them even using 5 minutes of their hour), and we work hard to teach them how to eat healthy and exercise. My DD6 has always been off the growth charts and is a solid gal (not quite chubby, but definitely not scrawny)...my DD2 is tall and skinny. Totally different kids...same household rules. On vacation, they're allowed to eat whatever they want because it's VACATION. And guess what...they usually choose what they're used to eating...yogurt, fruit, and milk for a drink. They had a donut one morning and I'm fine with that - they walked off the fat and calories long before their next meal and it made them happy to have something special or normally not allowed by big mean MOM.

I'm not one to pick fights on these boards, but I really feel if the OP wants to discuss the obesity epidemic in America (and no one is denying that it's a problem), then head on over to a health related forum...I'm sure there are many. This is the DisBoards...for chatting about Disney...and Disney is all that's on my mind when I surf this forum.

 

[tcp0421]

This is really bothering me..... I was just going to stay out of this, but I am just as american as all of you. Yes you do have the right to say whatever you want about other people weather their overweight, "bratty kids", or whatever ticks you off...but we also have the right to wear our speedos, and bring our "bratty kids" to wherever we want to. I just want to know when the last time you looked in the mirror? Do you see the perfect person? I doubt it!!!! I am going to Disney in about 3 weeks. I am brining my 4 year old and my 1 year old. I dont care if they remember anything! I will always remember every moment of it.

 

[justice11]

just another opinion. i am one of those fat people on the ECV, i was burnt over 80% 33 years ago as a young mom with 2 kids at the time, i got so depressed and ate a lot, but i love wdw and love to go with all my kids and grandkids. because of the burns my hands, feet and arms are tight and crooked, you may not notice at first glance but i need the evc to go that far in wdw. as far as the obese my youngest dd is a pe teacher in high school and she has such a hard time getting the kids to exercise and if she calle the parents they tell her it's her problem. they have to pass freshman pe to graduate at her school. i love to swim i do not hurt when i am in water and i probably am not the most attractive gal in my suit but i will be the one smiling the biggest and enjoying being there with my beautiful family. i know you did not mean to be rude. i am glad you had a great time that is what everyone is there to do.

 

[Todd&Copper]

Like the OP, I noticed lots of very fat people while at WDW, too, but I wasn't pondering that they were eating too many oreos or too much ice cream. I was thinking about how miserable I was as a chubby child, and how hot and tired my obese dad would be after only a few hours at the parks, and how much happier we all are now that we are in better shape as adults. So, yeah, I felt sorry for them.
Also, it is kind of hard not to notice what people are wearing, too, and when overweight and obese people wear speedos, short-shorts, half shirts, etc. they look so much worse than they could if they wore clothes that fit properly. I saw so many teenage girls who were average to thin, but waering the wrong size clothes - at least a size or two too small, easy to do with low rise pants/shorts - and they made themselves look fat. I see this at the mall every weekend.
Man, everyone here takes it so personally when a poster says I saw fat people or There were tons of scooters. Then they berate the poster for having opinions. Just remember, opinions are like (?), everyone has one, and they generally stink!