Keeping it Postive...Experiences

[Mousemommy1]

We go annually and I am on the Disboards alot so I can say that there are always complaints about something and always people worried about whether their trip is even going to be worth it. I've even let the negativity get to me sometimes, and you know what? We always go on our trip and have a fantastic time! I wouldn't worry about it, OP. Have a great trip!

 

[ellie05]

Our last two trips have been amazing. The Halloween trip with my cousin was probably the highlight of my year. We had an amazing time, encountered amazing CMs. We left exhausted but so happy we enjoy every minute of it.

Our December trip was just as magical. We had just great experience overall.

 

[epcotty]

We were there for 2 days in December, did EP and HS. That was fun and we did everything we wanted and more. We'll be going to DisneyQuest next month to finally do that once before it closes, that should be fun. We'll probably be back in the parks in summer sometime

 

[twinsmama]

Our vacations are better when arrive PREPARED for those changes.

When DISers discuss changes and concerns, I focus my thoughts on the solutions and workarounds!

This I totally agree with! I do check into the more "negative" threads from time to time to see what is going on, what are ways to deal with it, etc. If someone's negativity starts getting to me, I move on back to the fun threads!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I also happen to think that well...WDW and the DIS draw folks who maybe tend towards being a little OCD. (It's a small world after all...It's a small world...)

Even if that isn't true, WDW sells nostalgia and the idea of reliving childhood memories. It is wonderfully comfortable to know that a bit of your childhood lives on in the Kingdom of Magic! It is amazing to know the monorail runs through the Contemporary just like it did in the 1970's!

Change often = anxiety. Tinkering with our favorite childhood memories is even more of a challenge! I suspect what many DISers really express is a basic discomfort with the unknown. That's often what I read on the DIS.

The good news is that WDW knows their audience very well. They know we always want Cindy's castle to be Cindy's castle. And well....here on the DIS, we have a voice. We're happy to tell WDW the hot pink castle cake overlay is er, not an improvement.

Call me crazy, but I DO think Disney pays at least a little attention to these boards. Collectively, we help make WDW a better place.

 

[JerseyGuy24]

Ive been to WDW during its busiest times of the year including this past Christmas. I have dealt with unbelievably long lines and crowds many times. Never have I once complained about any of these trips. As soon as I board my plane on the way to MCO, there is nothing that can anger or annoy me. Just being in WDW with my daughter is the most amazing feeling there is for me. We are going again in June and even though most of what I am seeing is negative posts, we couldn't be more excited.

Don't listen to all the negatives, your trip is what you make of it. Enjoy!

 

[Mark P.]

Ive been to WDW during its busiest times of the year including this past Christmas. I have dealt with unbelievably long lines and crowds many times. Never have I once complained about any of these trips.

Ditto here...Our last 2 trips were middle August (just last year and the year before), and the 3 or so prior to those were right around Easter break. August was, well...HOT and crowded. And the Easter trips were just plain crowded....Very crowded. And we made out just fine.
As of this posting, my ticker says just under 2 weeks, and like always, we're very much looking forward to our getaway from the norm.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Was talking with my cousin a few weeks ago. My family gets a lot of questions from friends like: "why do you keep going?" "Why not explore the world?" "Aren't you guys a little old for Disney?" "What will happen when you get serious with someone and get married." Etc. Etc.

Anyway, was talking to my cousin who has two little ones (2 and 6 months). She said she'd have me plan out her entire trip when her girls are old enough. I advised her not to go until DHS is done with construction in a few years. She looked bewildered. "But why do you guys go, then?" she asked. I explained that having been so often, construction of missing attractions wouldn't affect us. For someone like her and her family, she doesn't know when she'd be back again. Why go when one of the main parks is in flux?

To me, Disney is a state of mind rather than a vacation. Once we step off the Magical Express, we're away from the outside world. I don't care if there's characters every corner we turn or if they cut a few things - I grew up LOVING Disney. It's not just a vacation destination, but a spot where my whole family is happy. We all enjoy the food, we all enjoy planning out our days and picking our FP+'s. It's an experience that not many people seem to understand.

 

[Disneymom1126]

Ugh. I'm reading so many of these negative posts and has me a little bummed about our upcoming vacation in May. It's not cheap and I'm hoping to have a magical time. Our kids are looking forward to riding rides, meeting characters, and we look forward to building memories. Reading about the closures, layoffs, ticket prices, security, and lacking of service/magic. I just thought we could have a post on some recent great experiences and comments about what you are excited to experience this year.

I'm looking forward to: hopefully getting my youngest dd 1st haircut. All have had their 1st at Disney. Riding everything in MK that we can. Having our princess crazy daughter meet some princesses. Relaxing at the resort. (as much as one can with 4 kids)

I think sometimes people focus in on the negative or have expectations that aren't always realistic. We've been three times in the last four years and each trip has had a few bumps (most of them probably my fault for not allowing enough mid-day breaks and that sort of thing so easily circumvented after sitting in the shade with an ice cream or cold drink!). One of my favorite memories was on our 2014 trip when DD was 6. We were at Epcot and we had done most of what we wanted to do for the day so we sat down to have a snack and wait for Illuminations. DD spent a good 30 minutes putting on her own dance show completely oblivious to the world around her. Just sitting, relaxing, and watching her enjoy herself (and make a couple of people passing by smile) was the best...I swear it was like something out of a commercial lol. I try and focus on the time I get to spend with her (away from work, etc.) and enjoying the little things so that if a cast member doesn't have their smile on that day or it's crowded and we have to wait in longer lines than we wanted, or someone cuts in front of us, etc. it doesn't take away my joy I think keeping things in perspective and making a reasonable plan for the needs/personalities of your family go a long way into making it a magical trip!

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I think sometimes people focus in on the negative or have expectations that aren't always realistic. We've been three times in the last four years and each trip has had a few bumps (most of them probably my fault for not allowing enough mid-day breaks and that sort of thing so easily circumvented after sitting in the shade with an ice cream or cold drink!). One of my favorite memories was on our 2014 trip when DD was 6. We were at Epcot and we had done most of what we wanted to do for the day so we sat down to have a snack and wait for Illuminations. DD spent a good 30 minutes putting on her own dance show completely oblivious to the world around her. Just sitting, relaxing, and watching her enjoy herself (and make a couple of people passing by smile) was the best...I swear it was like something out of a commercial lol. I try and focus on the time I get to spend with her (away from work, etc.) and enjoying the little things so that if a cast member doesn't have their smile on that day or it's crowded and we have to wait in longer lines than we wanted, or someone cuts in front of us, etc. it doesn't take away my joy I think keeping things in perspective and making a reasonable plan for the needs/personalities of your family go a long way into making it a magical trip!

Love this post - I think it's important as well to keep expectations in line & let the small things roll to the side!

 

[blestmom]

To me, Disney is a state of mind rather than a vacation. Once we step off the Magical Express, we're away from the outside world. I don't care if there's characters every corner we turn or if they cut a few things - I grew up LOVING Disney. It's not just a vacation destination, but a spot where my whole family is happy. We all enjoy the food, we all enjoy planning out our days and picking our FP+'s. It's an experience that not many people seem to understand.

I couldn't have said it any better.

 

[Aaryana]

Here now and having a wonderful time! In a day and a half at MK, I was able to meet every character I wanted (Anna/Elsa, Merida, Tinkerbell, Aladdin & Jasmine, talking Mickey, Tiana, Ariel, Woody & Jessie) plus ride all the rides I wanted multiple times. I have done rope drop every day and gone back to the resort to rest every afternoon. Try to put aside the negativity and focus on making new memories with your family. Great food. Great weather. Most CMs have been at least good. A couple have really gone above and beyond.

 

[LinderInWonderland]

We are another May trip family (three adults, no kids). I am looking forward to SO MUCH on this trip. With as much as we accomplished on our last trip, you all know we still barely scratched the surface of all WDW has to offer.

 

[Oswin]

Don't focus on the negativity you see here. It's a trap so many people fall into and they feel like the magic is going to be ruined because there's 40 minute waits for Figment and they're taking characters away from Epcot and the monorail is on a reduced schedule and did you hear there were more cuts coming to the parks because of Shanghai? The magic at the parks isn't the rides you get on, it isn't the people in costume that you get to meet in character, it isn't whether you're staying club level at the Grand Floridian and are greeted curbside by a cast member, it isn't riding the monorail to the TTC at 2pm, it isn't having cast members at your disposal to dispense magical experiences because you're paying a ton of money for a trip. It's getting to step into immersive parks with people you care about and taking things at the pace your family can handle and making your own magic as a group. You will have bad bumps on your trips and you might even have moments that make you furious. But you will also laugh a lot and you will see goodness around you. You'll laugh until your sides hurt when the guests chosen to be actors at Enchanted Tales with Belle are too cute or funny for words. You'll be educated by and have long talks with the cultural representatives in Epcot's world showcase who are likely homesick and need guests to make them feel like their leaving home and everything they've known for a year was a good idea. You'll see families on Make a Wish trips and will witness their special moments that bring tears to your eyes and will make you grateful when you can find something little to do for the family to add to their experience. You will get stuck in long lines behind people who don't wear deodorant and will make you develop a newfound appreciation for closeness with your own friends/family. You'll know that even if it's supposedly a crowd level of 6 and the Magic Kingdom is slam packed and feels like a 10 that you can go get in line for Stitch and not have to really wait. You might be lucky enough to ride 7DMT at just the right time where Wishes finale is going and you're stopped at the final stretch of track until the very end and literally have the most amazing view of the fireworks that you'll remember for the rest of your life because of how beautiful the sky was and the sound of hushed awe that came over your cram packed ride vehicle. There's so many things people here choose to be negative about in relation to WDW. Don't fall into the trap of letting it get to you, that can really pre-determine the kind of trip you'll have once you get there!

 

[tstidm1]

Don't stress over the negative experiences because our WDW experiences are subjective just like Art or Food. How I prepare is to have enough knowledge where I can make good spot judgements. If it's 20 minutes at Pirates at 2:15, I go on that ride. If Mom wants to eat in Disney Springs for Dinner, I know how to make a last minute reservation at Raglan Road. I come in with realistic expectations on the trip because I think and prepare for it.

Very excited for the trip to see the updated Star Tours, Kylo Ren Meet and Greet, hopefully Rivers of Light and so much I haven't seen in the past three years.

 

[larryz]

Don't focus on the negativity you see here.

Just remember -- everyone has an Ego... and keep what you read in perspective.

 

[Cinbride]

Awesome guys!!! My post wasn't because I didn't want to read about negatives on threads, I do. I like to know what's going on or I wouldn't be here. I love these boards. I just thought we needed a reminder. (Maybe I just did) It's in those moments during our vacations where memories will be made. I know it's going to be frustrating, hair pulling at times, I have 4 younger kids, everything's a challenge. Our last trip, 3 kids was the best yet. No rushing, I didn't insist on schedules. We just enjoyed spending time together. Waiting in a 1 1/2 hr line to meet Merida. Haha this time I'm sure it will be Anna/Elsa. I love that you all remembered that special time or are counting down to your fun adventure. I'm getting so excited to try and get my kids to ride some of the 'bigger' rides. We also just received some disney mail. Yay! I hope everyone enjoys and stats in the moment as much as possible during your disney vacation.

 

[Bullseye]

We're also going end of May and I'm really looking forward to catching F&G festival for the first time. I never knew they have all them food booths like they do at F&W! Despite construction or ride closures or whatever we have a great time every year!

 

[mshanson3121]

Ugh. I'm reading so many of these negative posts and has me a little bummed about our upcoming vacation in May. It's not cheap and I'm hoping to have a magical time. Our kids are looking forward to riding rides, meeting characters, and we look forward to building memories. Reading about the closures, layoffs, ticket prices, security, and lacking of service/magic. I just thought we could have a post on some recent great experiences and comments about what you are excited to experience this year.

I'm looking forward to: hopefully getting my youngest dd 1st haircut. All have had their 1st at Disney. Riding everything in MK that we can. Having our princess crazy daughter meet some princesses. Relaxing at the resort. (as much as one can with 4 kids)

Well our next trip won't be until summer 2017. The things we're looking forward to including Rivers of Light, Pandora (if it's open), sunset safari, doing the things at MK we didn't get to this time which includes some rides and seeing Festival of Fantasy, seeing IllumiNations, the new Frozen ride, Chinese acrobats, seeing all the new star wars stuff (hoping that the stuff they announced will still be going) etc...

 

[pampam]

We went last year, bought an annual pass and I decided it was no longer my happy place. FP+ was stressing me and although I had great memories I decided that we would use our AP for a final trip before it expired and then I would be finished with WDW for a time.

Fast forward to this year. We arrived to find that I had forgotten to pack some very important medication. I truly was wanting to go home. Anyway DH talked me though it, WDW helped me out tremendously and I can say this past trip was our best ever. I enjoyed myself so much that I actually wrote a letter to the manager of the resort , thanking him and letting him know how much we enjoyed ourselves. That is the first time I ever did that, but it was my pleasure to let him know and the cast members know how very much we enjoyed ourselves. I hated to come home, and can't wait to go back.