Keeping it Postive...Experiences

[BarbieGal457]

Many people are quick to complain but not so quick to compliment, so I would think that's why we see so many negatives. Not that negative experiences don't happen but I think that's why they seem overwhelming, especially here. I try to always go into life, and Disney trips, with a positive mindset and not looking for the negative or the small disappointments. PeopleMover was closed for most of our December trip but opened back up on the last day. Instead of being disappointed it was down for 99% of it, we turned it into a positive - think how much fun we'll have on Saturday when it reopens! And guess what? We had a blast on it!

To be honest, I really cannot think of one true negative in all of my trips. I don't say this because I'm a Disney "sheeple" or something, I say it because it's true. I have never had a truly negative experience in Disney and I too am hard pressed to recall one. Have some CMs been not super friendly? Sure, but I try to take it with a grain of salt and unless they go out of their way to be nasty or offensive I just brush it off. It's a vacation for us but it's a long, hot day of work for them, dealing with sometimes upset patrons. Does it stink when rides are closed or unexpectedly break down? Of course it does, but they're machines and machines need upkeep and aren't always 100% working....I never let it ruin my trip. In fact, it's a great reason to plan another!

My only "negative" - and it really isn't even a big one - would probably be that in June they left my very expensive piece of luggage behind at bell services and I freaked out when I saw it missing! No problem - a quick call to bell services and it was at our room in under 5 minutes with profuse apologies.

I have a chronic stomach disorder that can cause a lot of emergencies and I must be honest, Disney employees have been nothing but absolutely accommodating and wonderful in helping me handle it. Also this past June, I almost passed out in front of Hall of Presidents for a combo of reasons. The CM was so gracious, he told us to go sit inside in the air conditioning and to eat my fruit, and if someone said something to me, to say that he gave me the ok to eat in the lobby and he would handle any issues it presented. Of course he offered to get me medical help but I truly didn't need it. He was the absolute sweetest and kept checking on me until I felt well enough to head on back out. I celebrated my birthday that week as well and every cast member I encountered was truly awesome.

 

[labattblue]

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[larryz]

Don't listen to the haters .

We had a good time on our trip last month. We had a few things we didn't like, but we don't hate WDW because of it.

And discussing what we didn't like wouldn't make us "haters." It would make us "DISers."

 

[PerfessorZ]

I like how you think! It actually reminded me that one of my favorite moments was on our last day at MK, when it was raining all evening. We sat outside Pecos on a poncho and ate dinner in the rain, waiting for MSEP and crossing our fingers that it would still go on (it did, about 15 minutes late). I can't even really put my finger on why I enjoyed that moment so much, really. We could have complained about being wet and left early but instead we smiled and remembered that we were at Disney and nothing was going to wipe the smiles off our faces.

Your thread and especially this post brought back specific memories of our last trip that I wanted to share.

The day we spent at Epcot started out find, but a February cold front moved in during the afternoon just as we were on line for our Akershus 4:00 dining res that was the highlight for our DD4. She got to meet all her favs. Our waiter was great, funny, personable, and even confessed he was more Swedish than Norwegian, but was able to get a job there thanks to his dual citizenship. Anyway, as we left the restaurant for our Soarin' FP, the skies opened up and all our family had between us was one medium sized umbrella to protect us from the very windy downpour. We stopped in a (now puddle-filled) shop to buy a poncho for the DW and continued on, barely keeping the umbrella from turning inside out. By the time we got to Soarin', even the FP+ line was backed up considerably. We dripped and waited, but it was worth it - we all loved it. But stowing the backpack under our seats meant I had to wedge it in a bit and wasn't paying attention when I pulled it out and our lone umbrella got left behind, and I didn't realize this until we left The Land much later. Still undeterred (and thankful that it was only a light rain instead of a heavy downpour), we continued on through the afternoon/evening, eventually grabbing some German cuisine and drink to go from Sommerfest, while enjoying Illuminations from pretty much any vantage point we wanted. The hours of rain and increasing chiliness had dropped the crowd to what I'm guessing would be "level 1" proportions, even on an otherwise busy Epcot day. But we were thrilled and loved every minute of the whole day.

The pessimist might have complained about the awkward reservation time (we booked sort of last minute and that was the only time we could get), the weather, the waits for an attraction you've FPed, losing an umbrella, getting soaked, not getting to dine at the Biergarten because the Character Spot line was so long and slow-moving, but it really was a great adventure and I'll have happy memories of it the rest of my life.

 

[JB212]

We havent left yet (March trip!), but Ill already say, watching my kiddos (13, 10, 6, ages that aren't always a good fit for agreeing on ANYTHING!) plan out stuff has been so worth it already. They've spent hours together making lists of must dos, watching You Tube videos of rides, picking out who will sit next to who on what rides, and teasing the scardy kid into riding stuff she'd normally never ride. (Nothing like your 6 year old brother calling you out on being a chicken to make you determined that you WILL ride Rockin Rollercoaster! Shes so excited now to prove how "not scared" she is. LOL)
We've been to Disney World and Disneyland both before so this is not a "once in a lifetime" trip and I feel like that makes it more relaxed, no pressure to do it all or see it all.
Could things go catastrophically wrong on our trip and make it negative? Sure. But my family is used to rolling with the punches and we've never had a "perfect" vacation anywhere so I am confident that my family can put the FUN is dysFUNCtional at any location!

 

[nilla]

As I said to another poster, read trip reports. They're typically much more upbeat than some of the other forums.

 

[lovethattink]

A reminder that this thread's topic is positive experiences.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We are not going until November, but I have lots I am looking forward to.

*The new pool at the Poly
*Trying Whispering Canyon for the first time
*Christmas Party
*Seeing the changes at Disney Springs
*The Frozen Ride
*Updated Soarin
*Just spending time with my husband without the hustle and bustle or real life

I do have to say we have been the last 6 years in a row and other than a very minor thing here or there, we have had no complaints about our Disney vacations. Sometimes it seems like people go into their trip looking for things to go wrong and then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

 

[revdon64]

Going at the end of June for a second honeymoon. Looking forward to:
- Dinner at California Grill
- Dinner at The Hollywood Brown Derby
- Keys to the Kingdom Tour
- Being able to stay late and see the nighttime shows (tougher to do with little ones)
- Maybe drinking around the world? (DW wants to try it. I'm a bit more skeptical)
- Our second stay at POFQ!

On the other hand, not looking forward to the expected crowds and heat/humidity, but with just the two of us we'll handle it much better than we do with our kids in tow.

 

[cjhudson]

We are going May 31-June 3 and I am so pumped. It will be our first time staying through DVC and we have a savannah view room at AKL! DW, DD15, and DD9 love animals and our daughters will be extra excited bc we are surprising them on the day of our flight! Going to eat at Boma and Via Napoli for the first time and doing 1900 Park Fare with Cinderella and her step-sisters for our DD9 to enjoy. I am ready to go now!

 

[kashzan]

we returned in January, and had a wonderful trip. Yes Disney is magical, but the magic is only there if you allow it to be. Do not listen to the negatives, no place is perfect. Let yourself experience it and make your own positive memories,

 

[mickeyluv'r]

. Sometimes it seems like people go into their trip looking for things to go wrong and then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I see WDW as a giant puzzle. Knowledge helps me solve the puzzle. Most of the time, I see information/opinions as neutral or helpful. Knowledge is power.

WDW makes frequent changes. Our vacations are better when arrive PREPARED for those changes. Information helps me prep a solution. My trips are better when I budget enough $ and don't waste time walking to rides/shows that are closed.

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

When DISers discuss human interactions, I see helpful insights into human nature! I'm more considerate when I read others' perspectives. I want to know what peeves other guests, so that I can AVOID doing the things that peeve them.

Knowledge is power!

 

[mrsjoannh13]

I think you're seeing a very small percentage of Disney visitors with the complaints. Someone has a good experience, they are a lot less likely to feel the need to share it online compared to someone who wants to vent.

We went with our DD for the first time in November and had such a great time we wound up going the DVC route as we'll be there annually - maybe twice a year. Of course there were things that didn't go "perfectly" but nothing ever does. Didn't change the fact that we were in Disney and it's an incredible place for a family vacation with lots to see and do. We experienced friendly cast members, had a great time with our family and can't wait to go back.

 

[kdisser]

We went back in October and had our 1yo son get his first haircut. Best experience we could have asked for, Nicole was the hairdresser and she was tickled by how well our son did. He loved the blow dryer and the clippers!! It was a great atmosphere and an unforgettable experience. I tried to make reservations but they were booked solid 3 months out so we went the walk-in route waited about an hour (it was a nice time to take in main street and all its little festivities). It was a full Disney magic moment!!! We also went to Epcot and all the stores only sell 1percent milk (our son was not a fan of it) so my mom went and asked a hostess in the Norway restaurant if they had whole milk..the lady said no, but hold on. We waited maybe 20minutes but to our surprise she returned with a large take-out cup full of whole milk. We asked how much was it and she said don't worry just take it. It was a little blessing to a hot and fussy baby.

Sure we encountered some "non-standard" Disney CMs but the other experiences and CMs made up for that. I had so much excitement built up for this trip considering it was the first one I planned and paid for as an adult with my own family, and taking my mom and our close family friend, so I wont lie I was a teeny bit saddened when we encountered the un-Disney side, but I didn't let that rule and ruin the trip. It was a change from the last time I went in 2009, but it wont stop me from going again this coming up fall.

 

[Mark P.]

You will have a wonderful time!
I have to admit that I'm one of the ones that has posted some slightly negative things here and there. It's more constructive criticism than outright complaining, which I personally can't stand. I stated in another post that Disney's always been good for listening to guests' feedback, and I'm sure in the end, they'll make things work out, just as they always had. Can't please everyone, but they sure do go out of their way to try! Just my humble opinion, anyway
Our family has been over 20 times since the mid-nineties, and we've never had anything but awesome times. We'll be there in early March, and as our kids are older, this might be it for a while, but the magic is alive and well, and once the new additions are complete in a year or two, it'll be that much more wonderful
Happy Planning!
-Mark

 

[colarey]

You will have a wonderful time!
I have to admit that I'm one of the ones that has posted some slightly negative things here and there. It's more constructive criticism than outright complaining, which I personally can't stand. I stated in another post that Disney's always been good for listening to guests' feedback, and I'm sure in the end, they'll make things work out, just as they always had. Can't please everyone, but they sure do go out of their way to try! Just my humble opinion, anyway
Our family has been over 20 times since the mid-nineties, and we've never had anything but awesome times. We'll be there in early March, and as our kids are older, this might be it for a while, but the magic is alive and well, and once the new additions are complete in a year or two, it'll be that much wonderful
Happy Planning!
-Mark

And quite often, the constructive criticisms can be very helpful to people with upcoming trips, so they'll better know what to expect or how to plan around it. I know my obsessive forum reading helped us have the great trip that we had!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I think you're seeing a very small percentage of Disney visitors with the complaints. Someone has a good experience, they are a lot less likely to feel the need to share it online compared to someone who wants to vent.

I can speak to this....Often when staff members do something magic or extra for us, I intentionally don't spill the beans because that leads to false expectations.

On our most recent (non WDW) hotel stay, the front desk sent a complimentary treat to our room because our flight was delayed. Super sweet of them! But there's no way I'd post the name of the hotel, because I think they went way above and beyond what any guest should EXPECT.

I also always temper DISers' posts by looking at their (upcoming) trip tickers. If someone has two upcoming trips to WDW, then clearly they love WDW- warts and all.

 

[IvyWinter]

Best experience of my last trip in September...well there was 2. Watching Wishes with a glass of wine in hand, from the observation deck at California Grill. And Parasailing at the Contemporary!

This upcoming trip is my first solo trip, and im looking forward to experiencing the magic the way i want. I'm VERY excited to just...enjoy disney and my own company!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

We're going back in August and can't wait! While I have some issues with some of their cuts and rising prices, I know we will still have a blast and enjoy all that the resort and parks have to offer. We're going to do fewer park days and relax more by the pool and check out the water parks. I'm looking forward to when the new attractions open in the future.

 

[soniam]

Going in March too. I have been planning this trip since April. It was going to be for Star Wars Weekends, but ce la vie. We get to go earlier this way. I am excited and looking forward to so many things. However, I would be lying if I said that I wasn't hesitant. We always go during crowded times, Spring Break and summer, and the crowds have never worried me or gotten to me. I guess with these new unknowns I am worrying for the first time. However, I am looking forward to all of the Star Wars stuff in the parks. We are doing the dessert party at DHS; we have never even seen these fireworks. I am hopeful to get a BB8 earhat for DS to go with his BB8 magic band. I am going to buy myself an R2D2 earhat We have never eaten at 50s Prime Time and will in March. Staying at Caribbean Beach for the first time with a water view room. Get to fulfill my Dole Whip and Mickey head rice krispy treat addictions. Get to meet Chewie I am going to ride Space Mountain for the first time. If I like it, I might try RNRC or Expedition Everest. We also have a new camera, and I plan to take some awesome dark photos without a flash We are hoping to try Skipper Canteen. DH and I will do a date night at Morimoto. I think we are going to try Earl of Sandwich and Jock Lindsey's this trip. We are also going to Universal. So, lots of good stuff, but a small hint of hesitation. I need to just keep singing "It's a Small World" or "Zippa Dee Doo Da"