Not getting the wow factor

[susan stock]

Hi were in Florida with friends now as I type this message on the way to Clearwater for the night. So far have been here 6 days and not really had the wow factor I hear people talk about. I've planned and used dis boards but finding all just too over the top. Both my husband and i arnet big riders. We like the simulators and water rides. Our eldest dd will go on anything and youngest aged 10 is like us. Have done universal and IOA and to us they have a few rides but mostly eating and drinking places with loads of shops to buy stuff from. DHS has 2 big rides and a few shows bit again mostly shops restaurants. Why have we paid so much? I must admit Alton Towers seem to have more rides than these parks. We have done sea world and Blizzard beach which we loved. But would hardly say it's value for money yet. Were off to clearwater today to see the Dolphins from the movie dolphin tail and we're staying over the night to do a beach day and to reflect on our holiday so far. I want so much to make this holiday amazing but so far I'm wishing we'd have gone on a cruise. Can anyone help?

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

The parks IMO are not about the big rides (I'm scared of them) they are about becoming a big kid again, by which I mean skipping down Main Street, wowing at Fantasmic,welling up watching Wishes, dancing with characters.
Most of the parks only have a few 'big rides' you'll find the majority of the rides to be family friendly.
DHS is going through major changes at the moment to accommodate Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land.
Have you thought about making time to watch the parades and fireworks? You could also book a character meal at one of the parks, they're always fun.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday more.

 

[chmurf]

Have done universal and IOA and to us they have a few rides but mostly eating and drinking places with loads of shops to buy stuff from. DHS has 2 big rides and a few shows bit again mostly shops restaurants. Why have we paid so much? I must admit Alton Towers seem to have more rides than these parks.

first of all, hald of DHS is closed due to construction.

there are more ride at Alton Towers than at both Universal Parks, that's a fact
But the biggest thing about those parks is theme and atmosphere. It's not just a big amusement park with rides, rides, rides. It's about atmosphere, it's about immersion. And that's where lays the wow factor.
Can you believe that some of us (I do) like to just stroll around the parks and can spend half a day, or even the full day, in the parks without going on a ride/attraction. Just enjoying the sights and sounds, and the joy of just being there.

If you've planned this trip like a "let's go riding attractions like we're at the county fair" trip, then you might be right, a cruise might have been best.

but you never know what's best suited for you unless you try it for yourself.
on forums like this one, you'll mostly find highly enthousiastic people.

Now, why did you pay this much ? I'll kindly tell you that when guests start thinking that way, it's very hard to soak in the atmosphere and truly enjoy one's vacations.

I want so much to make this holiday amazing but so far I'm wishing we'd have gone on a cruise. Can anyone help?

From the limited amount of information you've given, it might sound like you've been expecting too much.
reflecting on the value for money while on vacation puts a price tag on every little thing. It's like when in a gift shop, if you only focus on the price tags you'll only have in mind how expensive it is (and it IS overpriced and expensive)

I might be wrong and overinterpreting your words, but it looks like you're overly conscious of the price you paid, and it might interfere with how you enjoy things.

it's like when going to a restaurant, if you calculate from the price and count how much each bite costs, you'll probably not have the best of experiences.

sit back, relax at the beach, try to enjoy the moments, without thinking too much about the sticker shock.

Any-one of us here is well aware of the price it costs to go to Florida.

When you go to a movie, it may start slow, but from the moment you start thinking how much you paid for the ticket and expect the movie to be better for the price, you no longer watch the movie, and probably bail out of the theater before the best parts, or miss them altogether.

try to put this in a corner of your mind.
enjoy the sights, sounds and atmosphere.
and remember that all of us here would rather be where you are

 

[dixonsontour]

Hope you enjoy clearwater.

What are your plans for the rest of the time? If parks are very busy then it will affect enjoyment. We find loads to do at Universal, did you like the potter areas.

 

[saintrob]

I too felt very similar to you on our first trip to WDW back in 2001 and doubted very much that we'd be back. Now after 22 trips we certainly get the 'wow' factor. I'm unsure what I was initially expecting but I don't think I fully appreciated what was around me and kept rushing from park to park with the aim of cramming as much as possible into two weeks. For me it's the whole WDW experience that provides the 'wow' factor - visiting the resort hotels, spending a few hours sampling the cuisine in world showcase, trying something new on each trip, eating at a signature restaurant. I'm still a park junkie and will probably do all the 'biggies' on every trip but also take time to chill and enjoy all the other benefits of WDW.

Hope you fully enjoy the rest of your holiday.

 

[k8Davies]

Oh no sorry you're not feeling the wow factor yet.

But I agree with @saintrob try slowing it down.

I get the most wow from just walking about taking it all in. Like grabbing a adult beverage in Epcot and strolling round the world showcase.

Or waiting in line to meet a character and looking how excited everyone is to get a hug off their favourite character (yes we all know the truth) but I'm just as excited as the rest.

Or failing that just go for the fail safe way that you can use on ever holiday, it's lovely weather (so much nicer than the UK) your with the family (which is precious time) and the crowning factor you're not at work (which is always a wow factor lol )

 

[A Small World]

I agree -The thing that I love about Disney compared to other theme parks like Alton Towers isn't the number of rides but about the attention to detail. The theming in each land and ride area continues even in the ride queues. The detail is there down to the last minute thing. Take your time to walk round and notice some of these - I haven't been to WDW for a number of years now but have been to DL and DLP and things I remember from there are the ways the music changes going from one land to another in Magic Kingdom and the style of the seats and litter bins also change to match the land.
To me Main Street is another place to really take in the detail - look up and around you while strolling down rather than just dashing down to find another ride.

Have you done Magic Kingdom and Epcot yet? You didn't mention them but to me they have more WOW factor then DHS anyhow

Enjoy the rest of your holiday

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear this :-( Its so disappointing if people don't enjoy it :-( I think I'm like everyone else, most of the joy comes from the little details in the queues for the rides rather than the rides themselves, and the unexpected magic from various cast members, or from catching a glimpse of your favourite character walking down the street, and from just being in the heat. I think you just need to chill and give into the whole atmosphere - forget you're a grown up! Thats what I do! I still get excited when I walk through the park gates in the morning wearing my minnie ears and the security guards take time to say "morning princess", even as my age. Just little things like that!

 

[bex7583]

i love the shows and parades and fireworks , they r the wow factor for me and then the family rides like the kali rapids and splash mountain .

alton towers is very expensive and although me and dp love it i think its very unfamily friendly unless you have older kids who love thrill rides plus on a busy day i have known us to only manage to get on 2 headliners , walk between them and grab lunch. plus if i went to alton towers 14 days in a row im sure the price wouldnt be much different.

sorry you are not enjoying your trip but if it is a full on ride experience you want can you squeeze in a trip to busch gardens

 

[Elise79]

IMO if you don't like big rides you have been to the wrong parks.

MK, Epcot and AK are far better with more to do other than rides.

For me watching Wishes in MK is worth the price of admission alone.

 

[Karenpowley]

We love Discovery Cove - but you need to book.

 

[meldud]

My first year I also didn't like big rides and neither did my son at the time. But I remember thinking that my cheeks were aching from all the smiling I had been doing.
We spent a lot of time just wondering around looking at stuff. From Cinderella's castle to the signs above the shops on main street, from the detail in the carpets (with all the hidden mickeys) to the parades and fireworks, from the mickey shaped sweet treats to the cast members in characters. We spent time looking for the little things, which I believe is something that Disney do brilliantly. Every thing seems to have been thought about. The shows are fabulous (and I come from a dance and musical theatre background, so have quite a critical eye).
Each time we have been we have a slightly different experience and we had only ever intended to go once for a "once in a lifetime holiday". My DH is now obsessed and wants to go as much as he can. lol

The other thing that sealed it for us was going to a show at Universal (Poseidon) and it sunk in even more how fabulous Disney are at the theming.

Perhaps as others have suggested try to alter your perspective and look for the detail that Disney are so good at?

 

[Jon84]

Are you all big Disney or Film (Universal) fans?

If you're not, then the small things that alot of us swoon over (Meeting Mickey, watching Fantasmic, seeing the Deloron from Back to the Future, drinking a butter beer - as quick examples) will not appeal to you.

Also you've arrived during spring break which from past experience is not always fun!

My wife has a friend who is going or Orlando who genuinely thought Cinderella Castle was from Cinderella Story the film, she's just going to say she's been, and because people she know really love it, not because she's always wanted to, or researched for herself.

For me, if you don't know a little or are not interested in Disney or Film history, then WDW and Universal can be a struggle to enjoy as you're just going for the rides.


I'm not defending the parks and saying you are wrong, they are not for everyone, my FIL hated both resorts when we went with him, because he had no interest to the point where he kept calling the parks 'Fun Fairs'..

Horses for Courses!

 

[BudgieMama]

I enjoyed the Disney parks, but it took my husband a lot longer to get into feeling them. I remember the night we stopped to watch the Electric Parade (the light up one in the Magic Kingdom after dark) and at the end of a hot and hectic day, my DH suddenly started waving to the characters in the parade and loving it. That was the first real wow moment for me: a parade I thought was a little cheesy (I much preferred the Festival of Fantasy parade) and my cynical DH is enjoying it and being just as excited as the little kids around us.).

For us, the wow was in the moments that surprised us, the laughs and the fun, not the rides. I love big rides, DH doesn't, but we had a lot of fun together enjoying what WDW has to offer... I hope you have more fun soon. Try and soak in all the little stuff and enjoy!

 

[loves to dive]

You mention that you and DH and youngest aren't big ride fans then you mention that there aren't a lot of big rides so I'm a little confused there. As others have said, Disney isn't really about the rides so much as the whole experience. I've only been to Universal twice and I'm not a fan but only because it did seem very ride centric and since that is not what we are interested it, it wasn't for us. You mention you didn't like Universal because it had a lot of rides so again, confused. It seems between the two Universal and WDW there should be something to please, if you are ride fans, Universal should fit. I think a lot of people see the commercials and expect that is what they are going to get, thus they are disappointed. You have to sort of make your own fun, go in with the attitude that this is vacation and the little stuff that happens is what is important. By the way, Clearwater is a beautiful beach, very family friendly. It's been a few years since I've been there but from what I remember there isn't a lot of activities, it's more about enjoying the beach and the family. I hope it gets better for you, my best advice would be stop and smell the roses and know that you make the magic.

 

[Jon84]

You mention you didn't like Universal because it had a lot of rides so again, confused.

OP said...

Have done universal and IOA and to us they have a few rides but mostly eating and drinking places with loads of shops to buy stuff from

They are saying it was all shops and not enough rides

 

[tinkerpea]

Its always sad to hear that somebody isn't enjoying a place we all love so dearly.
However, I feel that while you may get more rides at alton towers you won't get the magic there.
I think you needed to start with Mk that may have put you in the mood for what was to follow.
When at Disney it's more about surroundings smells and the immersion that disney rides give you before you even step foot on the ride.
Universal is a great Park, with some fantastic themes especially Hp!! However it doesn't ever give me the wow factor like disney does.
My boys love rides and really enjoy the theme parks here in the UK.
That being said they always come away saying mum dad it's not like disney is it.
And what they mean by that, is its not the experience that disney gives us.

Stop... look around, take a deep breath and try and see the bigger picture, try and see the details.
Take in some disney shows, see the fireworks feel the atmosphere.
I really hope you see the wow factor before you go home, and can stop putting a price on it all.
As that's going to make everything seem not as worth it.

 

[scoobydooby2016]

Sorry you haven't had your wow factor. I just went to Disneyland Paris after 10 trips to WDW which I love. I assumed it would be the same but smaller. It wasn't. It was a long six days I shall never repeat apart from the Disneyland Hotel which was okay to be fair. It didn't bowl me over but it was nice. So I think it's about expectations. WDW meets mine. DL Paris didn't. I am not a big thrill ride lover but the parades, evening shows, theming, total immersion, family rides, range of choices and the 'it factor' gets me every time. It's not for everyone though I get that.

 

[KirstyO]

I'd agree its an immersion and interest thing. The whole 'magic' of Disney relies on people leaving the real world at the gate. You can't just be there and expect to feel magical, you have to BE THERE. Forget the outside world. If you can (I know budget is a big deal) forget about the price tag, and make the most of Tigger strolling past or waving at Mickey in a parade. Those characters are trained to make memories and magic. They will do their best to make any interaction special, especially if you've waited in line to meet them. Even though you are adults, let yourselves be sucked in. The more you resist, the less you will enjoy it. I hope you found some joy x

 

[xxpeplyxx]

I found the first time we went we were quite reserved, I watched people having so much fun meeting the characters, getting right into the shows etc, and We were embarrassed almost to meet the characters! (I laugh at the old us now lol) we basically didn't let out gaurd down and enjoy it as much as we could have, although we still throughly enjoyed it, 3 years later I promised myself that I would totally allow the inner child in me to come out, and boy did it make a difference! So much fun was had the 2nd time round, it was so much more magical and so many more memories were made! 3rd time round even better still character meets were a must on our list, we now love a character meet, and we could just sit and people watch and feel the magic when they walk in and see the castle or even something simple like the joy on someone's face as they try a dole whip for the first time This time we are going back with our 22 month old so it'll be a whole new approach again, and likely a slower pace which I should imagine will allow us to take it all in even more, honestly just let yourself go, relax and just look around you, really take it all in and don't forget to allow yourself to be the child you once were! Allow the inner child in you to come out and you'll have so much fun