L.A. Times travel writer really doesn't like WDW

[perlster]

Since discretion is the better part of valor, I decided not to post this link in any of the "World" forums.

 

[skiingfast]

I don't disagree with the article too much. But I think the author forgot that part of the fun is planning.

 

[zeitzeuge]

I agree with a lot she said, but honestly she should have done a lot more planning. When we go to DL, we don't plan a thing except dinner at Club 33 or something. Rest of the time is flying by the seat of our pants. We wing it. When we've been to WDW, we spend months planning. We know when to go and when NOT to go. Plus, we just know it's going to be hot......ridiculously hot.

Have to agree with her about the busses though. They're a beating.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

The mistake the author made was assuming that WDW is like Disneyland. Many WDW veterans make the same mistake in reverse. A little bit of planning saves for a huge headache.

I can't count the number of times that someone went to Disneyland without a plan and got eaten alive by the crowds that they weren't prepared to deal with.

 

[KCmike]

Interesting article. First of all WDW is alot of fun. Just don't do it in the summer and for 5 days or less. The best time to go to WDW is May. It's absolutely gorgeous then. Epcot is my 2nd favorite park behind Disneyland park. I don't like the bus time at WDW. I do enjoy how close everything is at DL. We went for several years thinking WDW was the end all be all to family vacations but since we've visited DL we are California bound everytime we need a Disney fix. We just love the Pacific Ocean, the weather, DL and its many rides and nostalgia. It just can't be beat in my opinion. The only thing I would add for DL is magical express. Why don't they do this? Probably because they would have to build another resort hotel on property because everyone would be coming. Sorry for the rambling.

 

[Raindown]

I read this article in the paper. I really liked how it was printed, with Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Epcot ball pitted against one another. It made the front page of its section.

EDIT: there was a counterpart article about another writer's trip to Disneyland. The whole section was called "Dueling Disney's." The two article made the front page of the section.

 

[KCmike]

I read this article in the paper. I really liked how it was printed, with Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Epcot ball pitted against one another. It made the front page of its section.

EDIT: there was a counterpart article about another writer's trip to Disneyland. The whole section was called "Dueling Disney's." The two article made the front page of the section.

That would be great if you can find the link!!!!

 

[Judy from Boise]

I think the point of the article is planning ISN'T fun for everyone, and WDW does not market with the caveat "only those who enjoy planning should apply". She also contrasted her WDW visit with UO which apparently was fun without the planning, or the need to get up at 6 am on vacation.

WDW is a horrible destination for many people who's idea of "vacation" does not fit within the parameters of what's required for a fun trip to WDW.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I think general principles apply to visiting all travel destinations. If you really wanted to see a Broadway show, you wouldn't show up 30 minutes before the show begins to buy your tickets. But somehow a lot of people who know that you should buy Broadway tickets in advance don't even think that thousands of other people are planning to visit Disneyland or WDW the same time they are.

I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but I always kind of laugh when people complain about how they spent tons of money to visit a Disney park and complained about how they spent long lines in heavy crowds after showing up 3 hours after the park opened every day and in the middle of a busy time of year to visit.

 

[Raindown]

I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but I always kind of laugh when people complain about how they spent tons of money to visit a Disney park and complained about how they spent long lines in heavy crowds after showing up 3 hours after the park opened every day and in the middle of a busy time of year to visit.

Yea, I see this often.

Here is the article that was printed across from the WDW, both on Nov. 14th (I believe). It was front page of like entertainment or whatever section. The whole this was titled Dueling Disney's with Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Epcot ball (whatever it is called) across from each other. I don't think it appears on the web in that format.

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-land-20101114,0,2930347.story

 

[PinkBudgie]

That second article about DL was interesting too. I have to say that for people who live in LA, they sure don't know much about DLR. I can understand that you have only a day so you have to skip things. But to leave the parks for meals because a few restaurants were full or had lines is bad planning. There are plenty of CS places to grab something to eat without taking time to leave the park.

In the article about WDW the thing that stood out to me was the author declared that "the Magic Kingdom is exactly the same as Disneyland". I"ve never been there and even I know that's not true. Again, limited time, decide to skip, I understand that. But it is just an odd thing to say.

Both writers show an astounding lack of planning and/or knowledge about their destinations.

 

[skiingfast]

Here is the article that was printed across from the WDW, both on Nov. 14th (I believe).http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-land-20101114,0,2930347.story

Thanks for posting the alternative article. Many thanks.

That second article about DL was interesting too. I have to say that for people who live in LA, they sure don't know much about DLR. I can understand that you have only a day so you have to skip things. But to leave the parks for meals because a few restaurants were full or had lines is bad planning. There are plenty of CS places to grab something to eat without taking time to leave the park.

So true they leave and come back for one attraction and shopping. They didn't take a kid to DL they took themselves

In the article about WDW the thing that stood out to me was the author declared that "the Magic Kingdom is exactly the same as Disneyland". I"ve never been there and even I know that's not true. Again, limited time, decide to skip, I understand that. But it is just an odd thing to say.

Both writers show an astounding lack of planning and/or knowledge about their destinations.

I know for the DL visit somebody told them the waits are huge. Another probably said only ride rides with short wait times and catch the longer ones later or earlier. Another probably said Oh 6 years old they will like Fantasyland the most.

FP is great idea. If either of the authors took this common sense planning approach to any trip anywhere, they would of grabbed a map going into the parks. Every Disney park map in the US has a section devoted to using FP. Unfortunately I don't have pity for people who come back saying the lines were huge and we didn't know about FPs.


The funny thing is the food cost sounded a bit like a gripe. They didn't eat in the parks but did buy snacks, probably several at $4.50 each, that adds up. They also got the most expensive rate at the Ramada Maingate I have ever heard of. They could of shopped around and saved money staying in the same room. More or less I imagine on Tuesday the article was assigned and it was planned in 3 days for a visit on the coming weekend.

I wonder if the $600+ total included the souvenires? Sounds like it.

The other really odd factor on cost was this; 3 Adults and 1 Child. It doesn't matter what you do, that makes things more expensive.

 

[Funball]

bumpin !

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Wow I hope she plans better when she hauls those kids all over europe

 

[Teki]

I have heard her argument before about the parks and when people say things like that it makes me think they dont really understand how popculture destinations work. Haveing only been to Disneyworld at the age of 18 months I cant really speak to how intense the planning might be. However I feel that people who are planning ther trip have to realize how popular disney really is Also it wasnt wise on her part to go to a disney park in the summer let alone florida in the summer. When I go to comic con it costs a pretty penny but that doesnt mean I dont have to get up a 4 am to get in to hall H or that I dont have to be in line for my panel an hour early at bare minimum. Im not sure what was special about the 3000 she spent vs the 3000 all the guests around her spent that she felt she had entitlements of them or felt the money spent ment she didnt have to plan her vacation. Ive been on a europe trip that was once in a life time for me with my theatre class and it was awful because of poor planning. She knows how to plan for Europe thats why its easeir, For us Disneyland is easier because were used to planning it a first timer may have the same problems she had at the world. For example I went to the land with my DBF on his first time and he couldnt understand why I needed his mom (who was finaceing the trip for his chanukah gift) to give me the hotel and ticket information so I could make the proper dining plans they both told me I over think and I was crazy and because I didnt have the information I made our dinner at Ariels Grotto to late, I should have doen Story tellers instead of goofys kitchen becuse it was closer and the only reservation I got right was blue bayou and that was because I knew wed be in the park in the middle of that day no matter what. The following trop he made sure I had all the information in advance and our dining experience was much better many times these trips are about trial and Error. I hope she does go back maybe in a cooler month with more planning. (sorry about the rant lol)

 

[HydroGuy]

OK, I just saw this thread for the first time and I have no idea where the LA Times writer is coming from in discussing travel and WDW. I was in Europe this June/July (Spain and Italy) and Africa in November (safari and Victoria Falls). We were up early EVERY DAY (in Africa by 5 or 5:30AM and in Italy by 6AM). And we were to bed late EVERY NIGHT (10 PM at the earliest). In Europe there were crowds and lines EVERYWHERE. We had to pay a lot of attention to transportation. We had two adults and three teens and had to plan like crazy. On both trips we were tired, tired, tired, but decided we would sleep when we got home.

The only time we go on a lazy vacation is when we spend a week at the beach in San Diego most summers (in 2010 we did in early August).

We have gone to Hawaii twice and both times required lots of pre-planning to get into the best luaus and shows and cruises.

In all of the above cases we bought guide books and read them thoroughly ahead of time. Plus time on online forums.

If you are going on vacation to a busy place during a busy time you need to plan ahead. Duh.

If Ireland requires no planning, then please go there. It is probably because few others are interested in the destination. BTW, I have been to Ireland. And I bought a guidebook before I went. And made a plan...

Judy is quite right. WDW is not for everyone. But LA Times writer, please do not patronize us. Please compare apples to apples.

 

[Judy from Boise]

My DH and I have promised each other that next year we are skipping Christmas and going somewhere fun ! When I combine this with the fact that I turn 50 two weeks prior to Christmas 2011, it seems the right year for a big budget trip.

So far I have researched Costa Rica and Tahiti. CR will take intense planning to pull off a great trip (for me a fun way to pass the time) Tahiti could be planned in a day. Both destinations would be fun and memorable, but unless you purchase an escorted trip (my version of Hell) CR as a destination would require a lot of planning to ensure you get to the activities etc that you want. Honestly it sounds like in Tahiti if you pick an upscale property you can present yourself daily to the concierge who can do "real time" booking for anything you want to do.
Not sure where I am going with this......
I do think words matter, CR would be an adventure trip, and trips require planning.
A week on a houseboat, or San Diego, or Tahiti is a vacation......show up and plan in the moment.

Most of us think of Disney as "trips" , people who expect a vacation will be disappointed.