Preconceived ideas about America/Disney

[WDWFOREVER]

What is the one thing that surprised you on your first visit to Florida and Disneyworld?

I think for us it was just how BIG everything was in comparison to London and how far apart everything is. I'd never seen such wide open spaces.

A friend of ours, before her first trip, mentioned that they were going to stay in Kissimmee so would probably "just walk to Disney from the house"!!! I gently explained that she wouldn't even be able to walk from the CAR PARK, she would have to get a tram!!

I'd be interested to read of others' first impressions and what surprised you most.

 

[dixie2000]

The first time we went to Orlando we did not hire a car and just relied on the bus from the hotel or a taxi. We stayed in the Gateway Inn and there was a Beanie shop (all the rage at the time) just along from the hotel so myself and my DD decide to walk over. What I found most surprising was that the pavement/sidewalk could just disappear!! It just stopped. So we carried on through the grass - LOL.

Really the car is king and folk are just not expected to walk.

Helen

 

[WDWfan uk]

A friend of ours, before her first trip, mentioned that they were going to stay in Kissimmee so would probably "just walk to Disney from the house"!

LOL !!!

It took me a little while to get used to the tax being added at the till - it was strange to see the price of merchandise on the shelf not being the price you paid!

 

[billybluenose]

My lasting impression of Florida is the cleanliness.
The place is spotless from the theme parks, car parks, the shopping mall, the shopping mall car parks. Everywhere is just so clean. I think it rubs off on you too. Because it is so clean, you feel guilty about dropping litter anywhere and make a concerted effort to clear tables when finished.
Pity us Brits couldn't take a leaf out of their books.

 

[Olaf]

Clean and polite? I guess WDW would qualify, but the rest of the country misses the boat on this one. I can't think of anything uglier than our strip malls. We have so much land available that investors frequently let old businesses just rot--they're a blight on our towns and cities.

I think your villages and countryside are without equal. The only thing we have that's even close is in New England, and maybe Washington/Oregon.

I've always found the Brits to be very polite . . . direct, but polite.

During my first visit to London (age 15), I was surprised at how crowded it was and at all the different ethnicities. But, I was also surprised at just how comfortable I felt and at home, although I did have a bit of problem with looking right when stepping off the curb.

 

[WDWFOREVER]

Steph, thanks for giving us an American's view of England. Anyone else? I think I am always struck by how different, yet how similar, our two countries are.

 

[SidB]

What really struck me was the politeness of everyone. I admit that I'd got an image of Americans from my experiences with those touring the UK, and the things that I saw on TV. Neither of these is at all accurate.

An example of the politeness was when a teenage girl trod on my toes whilst waiting in a line. She said something like, "I'm sorry SIR !" Never been called sir anywhere else........

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

I agree the tax they add on when you are in a shop! kinda took us by suprise, here if you have 27p for something thats all it is there you have to have the tax aswell!
And the politeness! "have a good day sir or madam!"!!!!

Beth

 

[Goofyish]

I think the one think that struck me in Florida is the level of service. I guess this in some way is due to the tipping system and low basic pay in the service sector.

Talking of tipping - I still find it difficult getting into the custom of tipping everything that moves when in Florida

The old tax caught me out once - I bought something and it said $1 on the prive tag, and luckily I had 4 quarters in change - but I'd forgotten about the tax, and ended up having to us a $50 travellers cheque

 

[Dimplenose]

On my first trip to USA (near Philadephia) I was surprised at how old fashioned everything seemed. I'd expected things like cars and fridges to be sleek and space age instead I felt like I was walking round a set from "Happy days".

Libby

 

[Minniespal]

I think what struck me and still does is the size of Kissimmee and the surrounding area.

On our first trip we arrived at Sanford Airport, thinking that it would only take us a few minutes to get to our accommodation, boy were we wrong!!!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I have often wondered how others see us. I am in the middle of planning my first trip to the UK and am so looking forward to seeing things for myself and seeing what things are as I expect and what are not.

I think it will be a bit like the blind men and the elephant, it all depends on what part of the elephant you are touching and it always depends on who you meet, as well as who you are yourself.

Hi Jackie! Can't wait to meet.

Slightly Goofy

 

[Stella_the_Staff]

How easy it is to get anything over there. Sometimes too easy. Great if you are driving and hungry, but so many McDonalds etc The latest thing we saw this time, was a drive-through bank, where u sit in your car at the ATM. Now is that just being extra practical or extra lazy? But you can't fault how clean & tidy it is. I like the way England is portrayed at Epcot, with not one hoodie in sight, no gangs sat around the lamp post and no chewing gum on the floor!

 

[mark&sue]

I was amazed at how big the portions are!!! Orlando is a food heavan!!! No wonder I have to go back every year.



Susan

 

[FizzyPop]

Ohhh ours was how far apart everything is and the road signs and getting around totally confussed us But hey what is a holiday if you dont get lost once or twice

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

FizzyPop, I cannot go around the corner without getting lost. I have found the most amazing things since I determined to enjoy where I was rather than worrying about where I was supposed to be. If you do not make ressies, you never get lost and are always on time. LOL

Stella, we are lazy, pampered and take what we have for granted. We are blessed in many things. I live in a small town and we have many of your good things, a walk around the square brings us to most everything we want or need. We drive to bigger towns for variety. The American Adventure does not have any of our bad parts either. Disney is unique. It makes us all be a better version of ourselves and we feel so comfortable talking to strangers cause we have something in common, we love the Mouse and Mouselovers are wonderful people, no matter where they come from.

Susan, I am looking forward to finding out that English food is far better than I have seen reported. I am betting that there is a McD's on every corner there as well. I always eat local foods even here in the States. If I want fast food I will stay home. I may even try blood pudding. (smile)

Slightly Goofy

 

[arieliwish]

Yes I agree with the cleanliness and service, but the lasting memory of Orlando I have is the friendliness of everyone, from street cleaners to security guards to gardeners, when they all smile and greet you and the kids it makes a lasting impression. Its when you fly back into a wet and dreary manchester airport and everyone working there looks like they're counting the minutes til home time that it really hits you!

Ok so they have better weather, standard of living, etc. but I can't imagine they have better pay than here, do they? Or is it just that everything costs less? The other thing that struck us is that you see college age kids working along side retirement age people, happily getting on with it.

 

[Miffy2003]

I beleive there are lots of benefits of living in America compared to here but also the reverse

The medical healthcare in America is not free as it is here (far from it )
Education for college age children must be paid for (not at the same amounts as here either, it is astronomical)
There are areas of extreme poverty in America (as there are in the UK) but we don't tend to see them as holidaymakers.


Just a few thoughts I always have when I am sad to get home after a fantastic trip to Florida

 

[Cochise]

On my first trip to USA (near Philadephia) I was surprised at how old fashioned everything seemed. I'd expected things like cars and fridges to be sleek and space age instead I felt like I was walking round a set from "Happy days".

Libby

I cant help laughing at the cookers in the villas, they look about 30 years old!!!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I have travelled quite a bit, in the US and have found that things are seldom what you expect and as long as you give others a smile they will usually give you one in return and if you will just relax and enjoy where you are life can be a whole lot of fun.

arieliwish, I am thinking that Disney attracts certain kinds of people and many work there for the fun and a bit of cash rather than as a main living and that would make a big difference. I also think they demand friendly faces. The type of people who go to DW and DL are generally pretty easy to get along with (not withstanding a few, here on the boards, who are extremely demanding).

Dimplenose, some parts of Philadelphia are very poor. As in most cities we have a variety of living circumstances. I have to remind myself that the poor here are still far better off than many in other countries.

Miffy2003, you summed it up pretty well. If you have insurance in our country you do pretty well but woe be unto you if you do not. I have friends in Canada and the UK and I understand that there can be quite a wait for some services. Nothing is perfect. I believe that your taxes for the 'free' medical are quite high also. I fear that despite the high cost of education here it is somewhat lacking in some areas. To me education should be the main focus.

I am looking forward to walking cobblestoned streets lined with cottages with pots of blooming flowers and meeting the people of the UK in July. If things are not what I expect I will cope and hopefully you guys will cope with this deaf, crippled and slightly goofy me!! It will be an adventure of a lifetime.

I sleep with a Eurorail Pass book next to my bed. When I cannot sleep I read and daydream. Coming from a disadvantaged part of the US as a kid being able to visit DW many times and to even consider heading across the Pond is an awesome thing.

Slightly Goofy/Linda