Not your usual trip report -- new post 8-20, just a heads-up to the nice scooter folk

[missj1975]

Very interesting report. A little negative and sarcastic but interesting. I don't agree with lots of your opinions but everyone has a right to their opinion.

"LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: Though we will likely never return to Disney World"

Probably a good idea since you weren't feeling the Disney Magic.

Your happiness is intertwined with your outlook on life

 

[MichelleVW]

I don't agree with most of what you said, but that's what makes America beautiful...you can think the Safari ride is useless and it can be a family favorite for us.

Oh by the way you will never see Tigers on the Safari ride, if you're lucky you'll see the lions, but there aren't Tigers out there.

Uh...Glad you had a good trip....well, I'm not sure if it was a good trip or not since it seems like there was more you didn't like rather than stuff you liked.

 

[pumba]

please everyone post nicely...

 

[toothboy2k1]

First, thank you to all to who took the time to read and reply to my trip report, particularly those who disagreed on many of the points. It's interesting and fun to see the response.

However, I would like to clarify just a few things. I wrote the report largely to offer advice and opinions to those not as familiar with the World as others. I enjoy reading other's opinions as much as I like to offer my own opinions. But I also know that opinions are a dime a dozen (mine are probably cheaper). We must all make our own decisions. If you have young kids who really enjoy the view from a stroller, and would truly enjoy a visit to a very large theme park, then you are going to write off the guy trying to dissuade you from such (but perhaps thinking, "You know, there are a ton of strollers, and those indestructible double-wides that Disney rents can be dangerous"). That's great. I merely offered observations, ones not normally made in most trip reports. I guess I wanted to go off the beaten trip-report path. Some have liked it, other's haven't. Just like life.

I purposely didn't discuss the many things that my son and I found joy in, which many of you mistook as evidence we had a bad time. Far from it. I figured those moments would be rather mundane to those cruising the trip reports looking for information and entertainment. I didn't mention the wonderful conversation we had at the English pub over dinner (where I sipped a half-yard of beer, a mention that convinced some of you that I spent all my time there at the expense of my son, though that was our only stop there). Or how we skipped from the back entrance of Epcot to be first in line in Test Track, something that made my very competitive son extremely happy. Or his joy in manning the video camera as we plied the waters of the Boardwalk lake in our tiny rented speedboat that putted along. Or how he meticulously built a Lego car to race down the ramp at Downtown Disney. Or how we ate pizza for every lunch because my son absolutely loved the mini pizzas served on property. Or that we tossed the football in the rain, not once but several times during our stay (or maybe I did mention that). There was fun to be had every day, in and out of the parks.

The fact is, I wanted to offer a glimpse into many of the things rarely thought about as you plan a trip to Disney World. For example, there's the TV programming devoted largely to Disney and ESPN. More interesting were that 5 or 6 channels ran 24-hour information (ads) on Disney World, a fact I found fascinating because Disney was advertising to people to already bought the product. And yet we watched the "Top 7 attractions at Disney World" several times during those much-appreciated relaxing moments, and I actually developed a crush on the very cute hostess of that program.

Now to briefly address a few comments -- I've been to Disneyland so many times because I grew up in Southern California, and now it's just an hour away by air from Arizona. I love Disneyland and California Adventure. (I now love Disney World). As far as ever getting back to Disney World, perhaps with my grandkids. That has nothing to do with how much I enjoyed the parks as it is money, time and the many other places in this wide world I would like to see before I die. Those of you east of the Mississippi are fortunate that the World is pretty close (as I am lucky Disneyland is so close). Perhaps you can go once a year, so take those small kids in strollers, and freely ride your scooter. Enjoy. You deserve it. And as far as Soarin' (warning, opinion ahead), I've ridden it a half-dozen times in Disneyland. It's worth a ride, but not worth a 40-minute (and longer) wait, or even a FastPass once you've been on it a few times. You may disagree. And that's cool.

And to the reader who called me a "total idiot" -- people who know me well have called me far worse, yet the fact you base your summation of my character on a single trip report says more about you than me. However, I see you are relatively new to the boards and haven't picked up on the tone that I have noticed over the year. We may disagree, but we rarely make it personal.

To everyone, have a magical day.

 

[eliza61]

Thanks for the interesting report. Still can't figure out if you had a good vacation or not, but lots of interesting points made. Thanks for taking the time to post.

We love pretty much every thing you hated, so this report had us laughing hysterically.
Hope you have better success in future vacations.

 

[kpk89]

And as far as Soarin' (warning, opinion ahead), I've ridden it a half-dozen times in Disneyland. It's worth a ride, but not worth a 40-minute (and longer) wait, or even a FastPass once you've been on it a few times. You may disagree. And that's cool.

Dude, I SO disagree! (but you probably already guessed that ... )

Well, not about the waiting. I don't wait for anything. ANYthing. Especially with a queue as boring as Soarin's -- what were they thinking? And especially with my little kids. But Soarin' is now a favorite that almost our whole family can ride together. Next trip, with luck, the baby will be big enough.

But, the beauty of Disney World is that there's something for every person, every family, every ability, every age, every everything. Plenty of magic to go 'round for all.

Just remember that scooters (and strollers, too, for that matter) are there to help everyone enjoy their day. A total, visible disability is not required. If somebody chooses to use one because it makes it possible for them to rest and therefore play longer, or to keep up with the rest of their party, then go for it.

Peace, everybody.

 

[Sneezie]

If a child is so young that they can’t stay awake an entire day, or can’t walk around on their own for more than 20 minutes, what are they doing at Disney World? What can they possibly be getting out of such a fantastic park that could not wait another 2 or 3 years, when they will be able to enjoy and appreciate such a marvel to the child in all of us? I suspect because the parents are the ones who really want to be here, using the kids as an excuse. And so every theme park is choked with strollers, leaving the rest of us with age-appropriate kids to dodge and hurtle and weave among the army of strollers. If you are wasting half the day in line for Dumbo or for character meet-and-greets, your kids are probably spending most of the day in a double-wide stroller tank just so you can switch off with a spouse at Test Track or Tower of Terror.

Why don't we just drug our children to keep them asleep for the first three years of their life. I mean, they won't remember anything about that time anyway, right? I was shocked to read this and realize that people actually feel this way.

Some people actually enjoy standing in line for Dumbo and character meet-and-greets with their kids. I do it, and my "kid" is 13 years old. It's not a waste.

If you spent 7 days at Disney World, you should know there is no such thing as an "age-appropriate" kid. There is something for everyone and if parents want to take their kids (two-weeks old or not) I'll happily move out there way to let them and their stroller-tank by.

when exactly did being way too fat qualify as a disability?

I did read your entire post and was considering some of your pointers/tips. However, your creditablility is pretty much shot after this statement.

 

[fynook12]

I thought your trip report was different and amusing. Everyone is entitled to there own opinion and I respect that. I appreciate your honesty in your reviews/ratings.

 

[coruth4]

I thought your format was interesting and definately different from many of the others.
The biggest thing I noticed was your comments about waiting in line for up to 40 minutes for a ride! Too bad you didn't check out Tourguidemike.com before your trip.
I took my three children last year (for our first trip there ever! ) and followed his advise. We NEVER stood in line for more than 10 minutes! This makes a HUGE difference in the enjoyment level (I think).
I totally agree with your observation about the parents that tell their kids that because they paid lots of money, they should be having fun. I mean how reasonable is that? The kids are up at the crack of dawn, in the heat, standing in line and overdosing on adrenaline. One of the best tips from Tourguidemike is the afternoon breaks. And these same people who demand their kids have fun and refuse breaks because they paid "so much money" are also the ones who waste hours standing in line!
I have a co-worker who recently went with his 8 yr old son and refused to take any breaks during the day because he paid soooo much money to be there. In all the pictures, his son looks exhausted! They were there when the ropes dropped in the morning and stayed until the extra magic hour ended. I was exhausted just thinking about it! What kind of vacation is that? He even admited that he is a go-go-go parent while there becuase he spent so much money on the trip.
Everyone is going to have opinions - maybe you'll change you mind and visit again if you check out that web-site?

 

[wilma-bride]

I must admit, I nearly stopped reading your report after the first few lines. However, I'm glad I didn't because, despite initial appearances, it was actually extremely informative and to-the-point. Like some others here, I agree with some of the points you make and disagree with others - but then life would be boring if we were all the same. I think it's a shame that some comments made you feel you needed to justify yourself in terms of your son's enjoyment as I certainly didn't get the impression that you didn't have a great time.

Probably my turn to be flamed now but I sometimes think that, if you don't interject your reports with the words 'magic', 'pixie dust' and 'emotional' then people think you didn't have a great time.

 

[keekeeb]

I'm not going to say I liked or disliked the trip report because it's a matter of opinion and I don't seek to prove somebody wrong. I did have to laugh about the Pub comment. We're going in August and if I were to say the following in a pre-trip report:

"I'm looking soo forward to sipping on a margarita at Epcot"

Then some would assume that I'm putting my priorities ahead of my DS11 and DD8. BUT, if I would have said it like this:

"I'm looking soo forward to riding the Tower of Terror, eating
dinner at Cinderella's Castle, riding Pirate's of the Carrib. and
trying a margarita at Epcot"

Then it would 'sound' better to some critics. YES, I am looking forward to sipping on a margarita WHILE my son, daughter and husband (who will be sipping an ice cold beer) are in my presence. In fact, my DS11 and DD8 will be sipping on a virgin strawberry daqari. It's the same thing as a smoothie. Are we planning on being there all day getting wasted? No. Will we have more than one throughout the day? Yes. Will our kids be forever traumatized because mom and dad drank some cocktails while they were at Disney and they wanted to ride the roller coaster but had to wait for mom to finish her 3rd cocktail during that 10 hour day? No. Because we've been on that roller coaster probably 3 times already and parents deserve a few moments to relax and regain some energy. Whether it's a coke or a cocktail, who cares. Don't judge people. They have their kids there because they're involved in their kid's life and our enjoying the time together. Some of our best conversations between me, my kids and my husband have been over cocktails and virgin daqaris. Being honest, keeping an open mind, being respectful, setting boundries and limitations and staying involved in your child's life is what makes them and you a better person with a brighter future.

I've complained about someone with a stroller or scooter that was being disrespectful towards the people around them, but it doesn't mean I'm "anti-stroller/scooter". I complain about people walking, sitting, or standing around me when they're being disrespectful.

Maybe it was overly crowded with scooters, strollers and walkers during that time than other times he had been there. Who knows, but I really don't think he is trying to be critical. It's all in the way you perceive things. We teach our kids not to judge unless it's upon yourself.

 

[KerriSue]

Hey, I loved your report. I felt in a way that I was reading a brochure. I found it very informative. Your matter of fact style without all the extras was what I was in the mood for reading.

Your holiday sounded full of fun with nothing missing. As a mother with two children, I can appreciate the vacation when a diaper bag and stroller are no longer needed. I can say our best holidays have been without.

I do agree that seeing more than Disney every year is a must. To travel with my children to other countries and see them open their eyes to other cultures are memories worth having. Saying that I must add that Disney has a special place in our hearts and we will enjoy it again and again (maybe just not as often as most )

Kerri
Oh yeah, I grew up in SoCal and remember the days my mom would drop me off at Disneyland in the morning and then pick me at closing. Great memories

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

Toothboy -
Okay, so you had me rolling a couple of times!

it was to indoctrinate us in the Way of the Line. Ah, the magic of it all.

That's funny, I don't care who you are!
and . . .

do not let the rain stop you from enjoying the parks. Well, except for Test Track at Epcot, which shut down during thunderstorms and was offline for hours at a time.

I'll just say, I read your report yesterday, and decided not to respond, as my perception of your trip was fairly negative. Then, today, I read your second post.

THANK YOU for that second post. Because of it, I went back and re-read your report, and came away with a completely different perspective.

I disagree with you on some aspects, agree with you on others. Which points they are don't really matter. I just wanted to say that your second post actually made me realize that I incorrectly read negativism into your first post, and just that tiny insight into where you were coming from made a huge difference.

I'm glad you enjoyed the parts of your trip that you did. I hope that when I take my young children this fall I have the good sense to watch where I'm pushing that stroller and not be so rude as to run into anyone! My daughter, who will turn 4 while we are there, talks daily about going to meet the Princesses. Believe me, she's going to remember!

 

[mom2my3kids]

I liked your report. We will be there this fall with a 13 year old, 9 year old and a 3 year old. We will be renting a stroller for the 3 year old, will I feel guilty about all the peoples feet I am going to run over NO!!!!!!

 

[OhMari]

I agree with taking a break in the afternoon. You will see that advice on the Tip Boards, Theme Park Strategies and many posters on this board also say they stop in the afternoon and take a break.

One ride though I will never go on "ever again" is Tower of Terror. Even the Tag Fairy caught me posting about it. See Tag.


Also, you probably had to go in June because of your sons schedule, I've been reading a lot of Trip Reports lately that said June was extremly busy this year. I think a lot of people wait for their kids to get out of school and then go on vacation right away. I know that was our tradition when my kids were in school.

 

[SpazMonkey]

I just wanted to mention (since I find many people on this thread to be so negative) that I found your report an enjoyable read. I didn't find anything you said to be mean or some sort of derivative of that word. I'm also from Southern California (Orange County in fact) and now in in sunny Tucson, Arizona. I've never been to WDW, although I am proud to say I'm making my first trek out there this Sept (free dining plan). So thank you for writing an honest and truthful report.

As much as I know there are tons of people out there that love Soarin', I myself think it's pretty boring. I've come to the conclusion (read: my conclusion and not everyone has to agree with it) that if you're from California and lived there for a good portion of your life, this is not the best ride in all the lands. Case in point: I was just at DL and DCA last month with a couple of friends that are not from CA. They absolutely loved it. Thought it was wonderful. When I talk to all of my friends that are from CA and have been on Soarin' they just think it was a decent ride.

 

[zipuzee]

Add me to the few who enjoyed your report. I found is short and concise, with a bit of a sarcastic bite to it. The only part that didn't interest me is the comments on the rides. You see, I'm a major ride chicken. POTC is the most I can handle

 

[tiggerbell]

<<<After a superfluous opening show with Minnie and Mickey, guests are led by two cast members holding a rope between them. These cast members walk very slowly. The people behind them want to take off as if chased by the bull of Pamplona. And at those rare times the walkway widens to accommodate more than 10 people across, anyone who does not mind sacrificing civility and decent human behavior to save a few minutes (that was almost everyone) sprints up the sides to cut into line a little farther up. Yet no one crosses the rope, which gave us this idea. Have cast members with ropes man the northern and southern US borders. Illegal immigration would come to a stunning halt. “Sorry, we’re not opening for another 10 or 15 years.” “Oh, OK, sorry, we’ll try back then.” “That would be great, have a wonderful Disney day.”>>>

OK, that was so funny - you made me choke!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[LauraAnn630]

I loved your trip report! I agree with a lot of what you said.

We love to take our small children to Disney. Yes its CRAZY!

This year we will be going with Mom in a scooter!

SO LOOK OUT!! LOL

We will NOT do the budget hotels again! I totally agree on those points!!!

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Thanks for posting your trip report. I really enjoyed the humor in it.

We are some of those lucky people who live within 12 hour drive of WDW and return with regularity. I have taken a child as young as 22 mo. and we have always had vacations that were great. There is nothing like sharing experiences with young children who believe in the fairy tales and characters. To them they are real. Those trips we took at those young ages are the best I have ever had!

I would never keep a child home because "they won't remember it". So, they don't remember that book I read to them last week or that trip to the zoo or when we saw that movie, but it won't stop me from exposing them to new experiences or sharing new things.

As far as the scooters go, I am sure with the numbers of people who use them there have to be some who do it just to not have to walk. It would be hard to imagine that most people would plunk down the money if there wasn't a real problem that prevented them from being able to experience the parks. Our friend sometimes travels with us. He has to have a ECV due to circulatory problems (legs) related to diabetes and back problems, though if you were to look at him you would never know. So I have a tendency to give people some slack because I don't know their struggles. I'm just lucky to be able to have the ability to use 2 legs to get out of their way.