Motivations for visiting Walt Disney World

[PixyDst]

- What motivated you to visit Walt Disney World? We first visited as a family when I was a child, but we go every year (or multiple times a year) as a family with grown children (my brother is 30, I am 25), or my parents go alone. We keep coming back for the magic, the ever changing experience, and the fun!
- Why did you chose to visit Walt Disney World in particular, rather than Disneyland or Disneyland Resort Paris? We continue to go to WDW because I feel the experience anywhere else just wouldn't match up. Plus, Paris is far away and $$$.
- Why did you chose to go to a Disney park, rather than a different theme park group? (Merlin/Universal ect). We've visited Universal in the past, but it's just not the same feeling as Disney. I would like to visit for a day or so, but it would never be the focus of my vacation. Plus, the size of other parks is so much smaller and less involved compared to Disney. Disney truly goes all out in all areas, I just have never felt that way about other parks.
- Do you think Disney caters for an adult demographic? How? Definitely! There's something for adults everywhere in Disney. At the resorts, there are spa services, outdoor activities, and nicer restaurants. There's also Downtown Disney, which is less engulfed with children and the child-like demographic. At each park, there are anywhere from bits and pieces to whole experiences for adults. There's tours (like the Keys to the Kingdom), rides (Rock N Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror), experiences (Flower and Garden, Food and Wine Festivals), shows, etc.

 

[spiceycat]

What motivated you to visit Walt Disney World?
- Why did you chose to visit Walt Disney World in particular, rather than Disneyland or Disneyland Resort Paris?
- Why did you chose to go to a Disney park, rather than a different theme park group? (Merlin/Universal ect).
- Do you think Disney caters for an adult demographic? How?

It is a great escape. It is beautiful. You learn about people and yourself - just by watching how they interact

WDW is only around 9 hours driving. Disneyland - might go to someday but I doubt it - have no wish to go to Ca.

sometimes go to other parks Seaworld in particular - went to US/IOA went it was new tried it 3 times then and have decided not to go back. Although who knows - if I move closer I might. Brought DVC back in 1993 - still love it.

yes they do. but it was better when (my opinion) Epcot was more an adult park. Now the management is trying to get teens into all the parks. Really loved Epcot when it was different - more grown-up. It was also definitely more educational then - you could actually learn something new. Now you still can - but now you have to pay them.

 

[kiford]

What motivated you to visit Walt Disney World?
Customer service primarily. They take very good care of you in many different ways. I'm an operations manager so my day job is filled with logistical planning, project management, listening to people grouse about everything and anything, wanting this and that, infrastructure issues, etc. When I go to WDW, I do my planning in advance, book everything I need to and then leave my brain at the airport when I land. From the time I get to the Orlando airport, everything is done for me and I no longer have to think. Someone walks me through the entire DME process: shows me a picture of the booklet that I need to have with my tickets (the first time I saw them do this, I thought "how dumb do they think I am" and then my second thought was "Oh, I have those" so clearly there is a good reason for doing this), put me in the right line, walk me to the bus, announce when they get to my resort. Someone greets me as I get off the bus, checks my name on their list, walks me to the front desk and tells the clerk who we are. They process us efficiently, show us a map of the resort, point out all of the highlights of our resort (restaurant, gym, room location, pool, etc.). By this time, I've started to feel my shoulders relax and the tenseness of my regular life drain away. I get e-mail reminders of our dining times and locations, Victoria & Albert's calls me up two days before to check on us, we get a letter in our room for our trip back to the airport or to the cruise. I can ask any cast member any question and expect to get an answer or to be directed to someone who can answer me. I've had them fix problems that were of my own making, not theirs and do so without me even having to ask. This is like gold to me. Someone else doing all of the work and just pointing me in the right direction at the right time. Fantastic.

I have friends and co-workers who question our love of Disney and WDW in particular because it's so artifcial. I like that. I can get "real" any day at home. I like that WDW is so clean as to be almost unreal, that I feel much safer there than in some "real" locations and that every person who works there is trying to help me or make my vacation nice. I want to leave the real world behind for a short period of time and just let go so that I can feel ready to go back to work feling mentally refreshed.

Why did you chose to visit Walt Disney World in particular, rather than Disneyland or Disneyland Resort Paris?
WDW is closer to us (2.75 hours) than Disneyland (5 hours). Disneyland is much smaller and has much less to see and do. I may go to Disneyland Paris one day but it is smaller and farther away. When I finally get to Paris, Disneyland will probably not be as high on my list of things to see as the traditional things of Paris like the Champs Elysee, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Eiffel Tower, etc. So if I want Disney, a cruise or WDW is more likely to attract me.

Why did you chose to go to a Disney park, rather than a different theme park group? (Merlin/Universal ect).
Partly size. Partly some of those parks are thrill ride parks. Not that I don't like thrill rides - I do but I can go to a thrill ride park 1 hour drive away from me at home. Disney has such magnificent attention to detail that I love that as much as the rides. Two of my favourite attractions are Tower of Terror and Expedition Everest. I enjoy the sights in the lines as much as the rides. Sometimes it's almost disappointing if the line is so short that you can skip right through - there's so much to see long before you get to the thrill part of the attraction. I also don't necessary want to spend 8 hours a day scrambling my brain on thrill rides. I like the shows, the street performances, the parades, the fireworks, the shops, and the way that they immerse you into a completely different world.

Do you think Disney caters for an adult demographic? How?
I think that Disney is very good at catering to several different demographics simultaneously. You can really see that with their cruise ships which have areas for children, teens, adults, and families. At WDW specifically, they cater to adults by having hotels which are imaginative and detailed in their design but which aren't "cartoony" like the Beach and Yacht Clubs, Boardwalk and Grand Floridian. They have amenities in those hotels that are not of much interest to children like nice soaps and lotions, king bed rooms for couples (like us), quiet lounges with a good selection of wines and cocktails, higher end restaurants like Victoria & Albert's. They offer more adult oriented activities like the Wild Africa Trek, La Nouba and other adult evening entertainment at Downtown Disney. They are able to build attractions and create movies that can entertain both children and adults at the same time on different levels. Some of their movies have humour that is only understood and appreciated by adults while still being able to entertain children (Toy Story, Tangled).

 

[bryanb]

What motivated you to visit Walt Disney World?
My first time, I was in Orlando for work. I had worked at Disneyland during college but never had a chance to visit its bigger, younger resort in Florida. Having been a cast member, I had a special appreciation and awe at the size and complexity of the Florida operation. I was as interested in the business and systems of the place as I was in the show itself. After spending a couple of days there, I had so much fun that I've been back several times since!

Why did you chose to visit Walt Disney World in particular, rather than Disneyland or Disneyland Resort Paris?
I live in Los Angeles and I can visit Disneyland whenever I wish. Going to Disneyland is really great and I recommend that any Disney fan vacation there at least once. Since I live in the area, it's not really a vacation as much as it is a day trip. I will always end up driving home and sleeping in my own bed, and back to the worries of my day-to-day responsibilities. With Walt Disney World, I am far from home and so it's a true escape. My trips to France and Japan have been more to see those countries themselves, but I wouldn't mind a future trip centered around a Disney experience.

Why did you chose to go to a Disney park, rather than a different theme park group? (Merlin/Universal ect).
I have an appreciation for Universal as well. I would definitely choose to go to Universal in the future. My last trip was only to WDW since I only had four days and wanted it to be a relaxing experience.

Do you think Disney caters for an adult demographic? How?
Yes. In fact, I know Epcot is sometimes considered too adult by some families. Epcot is the one thing I really think would be a hit in California with an adult crowd. Disney definitely segments its guests into different groups and creates many experiences to suit adults, from upscale dining, to romantic hotels, to a wide variety of bars and clubs. Not every adult appreciates theme parks, but for those who do, Disney does have something for them.

 

[Zimbing]

- What motivated you to visit Walt Disney World?
My last trip was in December 2012 and I had been going on family vacations to WDW since 1997. I decided to go on a solo trip to treat myself for "surviving" a job that I didn't like. The fact that the money I saved from this job was going to WDW got me up each morning for work. Once I got to WDW, the only thing I had to worry about is deciding which ride to do next

- Why did you chose to visit Walt Disney World in particular, rather than Disneyland or Disneyland Resort Paris?
I knew WDW like the back of my hand from many trips previously and knew I would have a great time. I went to Disneyland Paris on a school trip around 1999, and I wasn't very impressed with it, although I know it has changed a lot since then. And although I'd love to go to Disneyland (one day!), I wanted to have a holiday for at least a week, and WDW was more capable of that.

- Why did you chose to go to a Disney park, rather than a different theme park group? (Merlin/Universal
I'm also a big fan of Universal Studios Orlando, but as a solo traveller, I forgo renting a car and was reliant on Disney buses for transport, such as the Magical Express. Also due to only going for one week, I therefore stay on Disney property for this trip.

- Do you think Disney caters for an adult demographic? How?
I do feel Disney is marketed towards families with young kids these days, but when I went on my trip, I was 26 years old (but get mistaken for a college freshman!) and never felt out of place. I met all the characters that I wanted and never felt awkward, I did tours that I'd always wanted to do but my family had had no interest in. And I got to go to the parks from rope drop to closing. I had so much to do that I was exhausted by the end of the trip!