Newbie Trip Report - All In One Thread!!

[Cinerama]

Thanks for your report and your honesty! As several others have said, though I love DW and will continue to visit (at least till my kids get older) I definitely am aware of the corniness factor. For us, sometimes half the fun is enjoying a well timed eye roll (and listening to the safari poaching story would be one of those times!). Thanks again for taking the time to write!

 

[tinkertiff]

I, too, was saddened and dismayed by this trip report. Wow, to think you'd actually return. I can't even imagine why -- you didn't seem to enjoy it and it did read very negative. Very bizarre. After reading this trip report, perhaps Disney is not for you. Maybe during a different time of year -- but I'm not even sure about that given your experience. I'm not trying to be harsh at all -- I was just very surprised at your report. Maybe Hawaii is a better idea for you -- very different than Disney. As for me, we have 9 days until our next Disney trip.....can't wait!! BUT, we are Disney fanatics and have young children that love it. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[kmp1191]

I read your post and was a quite disappointed that you didn't love everything about WDW...but then I got to thinking....there were some things I didn't like either. This was our first trip, DH, DS10 & DD6 and while our kids were great, they still had a few "issues" about some things. We all wanted to ride Mission Space...until it was done. We had to go back to the hotel for the rest of the day to find our stomachs and feet. It really does cause motion sickness!! I had to sit down for 30 minutes because I thought I was going to pass out. DH & I wanted to see Illuminations @ EPCOT, but after waiting an hour and a half (i was told to get there early and find a bench, sit down and enjoy the show) the crowd that gathered in front of us and blocked our view of the 10 minute show really put a damper on the evening.
What did make up for these "issues"? FANTAZMIC...we all said it was worth the hour and half wait and will do it again! MNSSHP....kids had a great time, as did the adults!! Just as many adults were in costume as were kids!
Seeing the expression on my DD(6) face at Cinderella's Coronation! So glad I had the camera ready!! Watchiing my DS(10) laughing while getting STITCH's autograph...and having Stitch lick his book!! Watching the WISHES fireworks from the calm lake on a boat back to the Wilderness Lodge. Walking behind the kids as they walked hand in hand w/ Minnie Mouse on her House Tour (30 minutes before we had to leave for the airport!!)

We just got back yesterday, and like you, I'm not ( or should I say, wasn't) a Disney Fanatic, but now, both DH and I can't wait til our next trip next year!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I enjoyed reading your report as it gave me someone else's (besides Disney obsessed people like me ) view of WDW. I'm a litle worried about taking my DFi this Dec. (during the "off" season) because I think he'll think it's busy too. Believe me, be glad you didn't go in the middle of July before FastPass. Maybe I'll take some pictures for him to have something to compare it too. Also, I don't have any kids (and don't plan on it) and we go to Disney with all adults and you don't have to have kids in your group to get the magic. Some people never get to feel the magic but I think it was something I was born with. Have fun wherever your next vacation is and stop by WDW again sometime!


Oh and there is a lot of corny things at WDW but I love it! Watching my 57 year old dad on the safari ride screaming "Save Little Red!" and "I don't think we're going to be able to save him this time!" and "At least he'll make someone a nice pair of boots" (What!?!? Do they even make elephant skin boots?! ) Part of the magic is truly believing what you're doing.

 

[Jennifer48]

Thanks for that honest trip report Ann! I hope that you do get to go back at some point when the crowds are smaller, the weather is cooler and your feet are more comfortable!

 

[maxaroni]

I have to say, I started reading this report, thinking it was negative. However, I finally found the humor and appreciate the honesty. I enjoyed reading your report and glad that through it all, you had a nice vacation.

There are some rides and attractions that we don't like but had to perservere through them the first time. I tried to think of that when reading your report. Some things are just lame but I still like it.

We don't go to WDW as many times as many folks here on the boards, however, this last trip (8/05) really was super for us. I totally felt the magic, more than before. For us, it was having a very stressful year and being fully immersed in the whole experience. We could forget our stresses and have fun.

Here's to hoping you go back and experience the magic.

Thanks for giving us a different perspective!

 

[emsip]

I did not think your report was negative. You gave your honest opinion about the rides you liked and the ones you disliked. A ride that is considered the greatest by one person, will be considered lame by another. An example is the Haunted Mansion. It is a ride loved by many, including me, but my wife thinks it's lame.

The weather also plays a big part in your enjoyment of WDW, especially if it is your first time going there. The first time my wife went was for our honeymoon and it was fourth of July week. It was hot, humid and crowded. After that trip I wasn't sure if we were ever going back. We went this year on the last week of Sept. and it was great. The weather was hot but comfortable and no crowds. Now we are DVC members and planning for next year.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I just finished your trip report (and everyone's responses.) I have to say that I too found it negative. You said that it was meant as "tongue in cheek" and I guess I would have to know you to understand that, but it just felt negative. You also said that you wanted to capture every little detail to hold on to, but it seems as though you only went into great detail about how BAD things were, and glossed over the GOOD parts. I was truly surprised that you would want to return but I am glad that you are willing to give it another try.

A story: My DH had been on a few day trips to MK with his family but didn't see what the big deal was (neither did they.) Last year (June) we went on a day trip to MK (my first time at WDW.) It was HOT HOT HOT and it wasn't the best time he had, but he did agree to go back for longer to appease me. Well, we made our return trip in April (2005) and LOVED it. He even suggested we stay another day! It was less crowded and less heat. We did run into some bad moments this time, but we had some moments of pixie dust and magic too. He is in no way the fanatic that I am, but now he
wants to go back (he even promised when we move to FL that we can go at least once a month and still take our longer vacations there.)

I do think that the weather, shoe factor, and you not LOVING Disney marred your views. However, I think that if you give it another try, you may just come back with a bit of magic too.

My post was in no way to make you feel bad about what you wrote, so I hope you don't take it that way. I hope that you do give Disney another try (and if you do let me know, I bet you will end up loving it. DH and his family did!)

 

[LoveWDW]

I enjoyed the report! Thank you for posting. I didn't get the impression that it was all that negative. You were hot and your feet hurt, but you gave an accurate description of what you liked and didn't. I felt the report was honest and well-written.

 

[byoung]

Thanks for the report.

 

[twotommygirl]

Loved your remark about Stacy and the top 7. It all came rushing back after reading it. Glad you enjoyed your trip, but it is truly better after coming a 2nd time. You feel more "at home" and it is much easier to get around. I hope you make it back again.

 

[Nancyg56]

Thank you for posting your report. I enjoyed reading it, and it truely helped me to remember that every moment of every trip is not "magical". We are going in January, and it has been 18 years since I have been with a child, as my own are now adults. One little jaunt into MGM 2 years ago was the impetus to go with my DGD. I am afraid that I will have such high expectations that I will be let down during the trip, but after reading your report, I know that I need to just enjoy what goes well, and smile about what does not. Thankyou again!

 

[dandee00]

Thanks to everyone for all the responses - it's certainly been lively! Honestly, I was very hurt that some took my report as negative, as I meant a lot of it as tounge in cheek. For instance, I really don't believe kids should be banned for Cirque...I just think Cirque should be banned from selling those jugs of pop that made the kids have to pee every five minutes!

Seriously, I actually wrote the report for myself first as I wanted to remember all the details of the trip...and then decided I'd post it here. I also forwarded it to my family and friends - they know me, and totally "get" my storytelling! My Disney memories are very positive - and I have nothing but good things to say when I talk to people. In fact, I'm helping a couple of friends with their future trips - they have children, and while I was at Disney, I also took some notes for them so they'd know where their kid's favorite characters would be. I also sent postcards to my friends' kids from their favorite characters - they loved them!

On a personal note, my mom died when I was six, and my dad raised me by himself (along with a mentally retarded older brother, who died three years after my mom died, and another older brother who had problems of his own). Now Dad lives with me, and a trip to Hawaii (my parents went a couple years before my mom died, and we kind of retraced that trip) last year and then this trip to Disney have actually been the first time we've done any big trips just for fun (i.e. not to visit relatives). So, my excessive detailing may seem like it's highlighting too many negatives, but it's just my way of holding on to every single memory!!

Oh, one last thing...how long before I'll stop hearing Stacy from the "Top 7" in my head?! "Summit, Plummet"!

Hi Ann
Thanks for sharing your viewpoint and giving us your opinion. Everyone has an opinion and we are not all going to agree on certain things. I respect you for sharing your opinion and for being honest, and I appreciated your touch of humor. I have never been to Disney, but DH and I will be there this Jan. for almost a month. Our (okay my) dream vacation.
I am glad you got to share this with your father. If nothing else, this will be a memory you will cherish for a very long time. I hope you and he shared some good laughs together on this trip and had the opportunity to talk. Did you get some pictures of the two of you? So in the future you will have these...to remember...
I understand how you want to hold on to every single memory. Maybe you could make a scarpbook, so you will have this to look back upon.
I sincerely hope your father and you will be able to do more trips together.

 

[Pooh1219]

Thanks for your trip report, Ann. I'm not sure why it seems to be a problem that your report was perceived as "negative" to some people. This is a message board populated by all kinds of folks, and some are Disney fanatics and some are not. There's nothing wrong with someone if they don't enjoy everything that Disney offers. I think your report was very balanced, highlighting both the good and bad as you saw it. Personally, I love all things Disney, even the corny stuff because that's what makes it magical to me, but it's not for everyone to the same degree.

All in all, sounds like you liked more than you didn't, and that makes for a successful trip. Only one word of advice for the future - SNEAKERS!!

 

[disneyfan61]

Ann-I like reading all trip reports including yours. Everyone has their opinions about the rides, food & hotels. Thanks for your honesty.

 

[Zip-a-dee-dude-da]

AnneinIowa...Ibelieve Redneck is defined as everyone clapping when George Bush was introduced in the Hall of the Presidents

 

[AnninIowa]

"AnneinIowa...Ibelieve Redneck is defined as everyone clapping when George Bush was introduced in the Hall of the Presidents"

Or it could be defined as a grown man who fantasizes about Tikerbell as his ideal woman and is obsessed with Star Wars.

 

[Zip-a-dee-dude-da]

I gotta say thats the first and probably last time any one called me a redneck.........and so what im into fairies..........thanks for the report....Its hard for us DISObsessed board dwellers to see the World as anything but perfect, you help keep us realistic........Xcept of course 4 that whole George W is a good President thing

 

[AnninIowa]

I am thinking that a great future trip for me might be Disneyland in California - the attractions I liked most at WDW are contained withing DL's two parks (Soarin, Muppet, Tough to be a Bug, water rides), it's a lot smaller, there is more on-site non-Disney shopping (Sephora!!!!), plus it has close proximity to to beach. I hear a lot of the hotels in and around Anaheim offer Disney transportation, too. I'd love to stay in a resort on the beach, see both Disney parks, and have access to some great shopping in Laguna and Newport.

 

[wackywexler]

I may have to read the trip report again, but I thought the comment was that it was nice that no one was booing the President. I don't think any President deserves to be booed at Disney World with many very young impressionable youths present and many adults who may get hot under the collar at politics. I think at the Happiest Place on Earth it would be nice to show respect for the highest office in the land. We can respect and honor these mens service to our country. They have all had something positive to add even if we have not agreed with all of their actions. Just my opninion.