Question for Frequent Visitors

[goingback]

I looked at this board before we left for DW last week and saw that quite a few of the members here go frequently to the parks. And from what I could tell they were not all from Florida or even Orlando (with annual passes), but had to drive or fly in.

We just got back from our trip and although we love Disney World, the crowds are taking the "magic" out of it for us.

What I am wondering (in a very nice way ) is whether or not (how can I put this....) the frequent visitors feel somewhat "guilty" about going so often since it is so busy?

Thanks

P.S. Also, if you live so close you can go all the time (like with the annual pass) do you just get tired of it and not go anymore? Kind of like someone who lives in New York City and just doesn't visit the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty even though they live right by them?

 

[bicker]

We go every year and don't feel a bit of guilt. Actually, it seems to me that crowding is much less of an issue than several years ago: FastPass has effectively made visiting a pleasure by comparison to how things were before FastPass.

 

[sunny04]

I think I'm not understanding why the crowds would make us feel guilty? Those of us who go often love the magic as much as those who go less often. The crowds can affect everyone's trip, but if you know it's crowded and work around that the magic is still there. We go a couple times a year because that is the only thing DH and I have in common - our love for WDW. It's the thing we share. We could wait, save up, and do a big trip somewhere else. But on the money and time we would spend somewhere else once a year or once every other year, we can afford to go to WDW twice a year. The crowds aren't what hurt the magic for me, it's the attitude towards the crowds. As long as I don't worry about them, I can still enjoy the trip and add magical memories to my life.

 

[goingback]

Yes, I agree that FastPass has helped with lines on the attractions, but it's the walking to and from the attractions, watching the parades, getting something to eat, and just enjoying all of the details the park has to offer that are so hard to do when the park is crowded.

And I know that if I plan my visit very carefully the crowds and some of the inconveniences could be avoided, but I just don't have the time to do that for a vacation!

I'm also referrring just to the Magic Kingdom. I found Epcot and MGM Studios to be more managable this week in spite of the crowds.

When I come to think of it, it's kind of surprising that the parks aren't more crowded than they already are considering the population of the U.S. (or the world for that matter!). There are so many people that would just love to visit Disney World but I'm sure it's the costs involved of visiting that keeps the crowds down from that standpoint.

 

[bicker]

That's one reason I steer clear of the Magic Kingdom on crowded days. The other three theme parks are superior in many ways.

 

[goingback]

Well I do worry about the crowds when adults are getting mad and calling each other really bad names in front of my children. We had it happen twice. Grown men yelling at each other because someone stepped in their way or blocked their view of the parade. These exchanges are scary for children. One of the men even yelled, "Yea, it's the happiest place on earth you *&^%$%^%".

Unfortunatly, those exchanges are something my kids won't ever forget (and neither will I). I can't help but think the crowding in the park contributes to this. Yes, jerks will be jerks anywhere, but I just wish it didn't have to happen in DW.

 

[goingback]

You know what I have a fantasy about? The Magic Kingdom being completely redone and made extremely bigger!

Like Main Street is 1/4 mile wide and there are no bottlenecks anywhere! Wide spaces everywhere! Everyone can have a great view of the parade! No one is disappointed!

I am not familiar with the parks in other countries that have been built since WDW, but I wonder if they made them bigger to handle the crowds. Maybe when the Magic Kingdom was built back in 1971 the crowds that would eventually come just hadn't been in the minds of the Disney Corp. Didn't they build the Magic Kingdom bigger than Disneyland just for that purpose?

And then, again, it all comes down to money. You want it packed so you can make a bigger return on you investment.

 

[goingback]

I forgot to mention, we are frequent visitors ourselves but I personally feel like it's time for us to move on to somewhere else.

 

[bicker]

I think they did a good job in Paris of making the Magic Kingdom a little better at handling the crowds.

 

[Feralpeg]

I live very close to WDW property. I go to each park about once a month. The magic is still there, but different from when I didn't live in Florida. Now, when I go, I'm looking to do everything. I often go and don't ride a single ride. I walk around and soak up the atmosphere. I watch people. I talk to people. I normally eat while I'm at a park. I don't think my going once a month has much of an effect on the crowds.

I really think the reason crowds get to people is because they have this idea that they must do so much to have a good time. I guess I understand that if you can only visit once or you have to wait a long time between visits. I truly believe in quality not quantity. Do what you can do and still enjoy yourself. If you start stressing, you are trying to do to much and that isn't a very good vacation. JMHO.

 

[figmentrulz]

I have mixed emotions about responding to your post, but here goes nothing.

It's been a long time since I've been to the world and I understand that time can skew ones view of reality. That said, I've never once felt uncomfortable, put off, or inconvenienced by large crowds at Disney. Occasionally, I get somewhat uncomfortable around toddlers or any other young child who may not seem to be enjoying him/herself. When I was married, my wife and I would just start a little conversation with the youngster and within seconds, the childs tears would turn into smiles and chuckles.

Food lines can be unbearable at times, but I've never had a problem with waiting a bit and eating at odd times. If the crowds are in food lines, they're not in attraction lines. This is no secret as guide books will talk about this often.

I would probably visit more if I had the time and $$$. I have no problem going at peak seasons but my business determines vacations and it seems that October through January is when I can leave home.

I appreciate your opinion and hopefully you'll consider "goingback" for many years to come. I might be the only guy who actually thinks that big crowds can make things better. "The more, the merrier"

Marty

 

[sunny04]

Well I do worry about the crowds when adults are getting mad and calling each other really bad names in front of my children. We had it happen twice. Grown men yelling at each other because someone stepped in their way or blocked their view of the parade. These exchanges are scary for children. One of the men even yelled, "Yea, it's the happiest place on earth you *&^%$%^%".

Unfortunatly, those exchanges are something my kids won't ever forget (and neither will I). I can't help but think the crowding in the park contributes to this. Yes, jerks will be jerks anywhere, but I just wish it didn't have to happen in DW.

I definitely understand this being an issue. But if it wasn't crowds, it would be something else for people that respond that way. Luckily for us, we haven't seen anything quite that extreme yet. I'm sorry you have.

 

[wdwguide]

I don't know if I understand the question about feeling guilty about the crowds. Are you suggesting we should stop going to WDW to make it a more pleasant experience for those who do not get to make repeat trips?
If so, it wouldn't make much of a difference, because most regulars will avoid long lines whenever possible. I certainly don't recall the last time I waited in a line that had a posted wait of more than 20 minutes. Also, many regulars have Florida Resident Season Passes (maybe with only one person in the family using an AP for the free parking), a situation which precludes visiting during the busiest times of the year.

I don't think going frequently makes the place any less fun, although its design flaws and shortcomings do become more apparent, as do faulty ride and show elements that one-time visitors would never notice. I just enjoy being there with my family for a day or three a month. We did stop going for a couple of years, but that was because we just couldn't stand what Eisner and his bean counters were doing at the time. Now that that issue has been nicely solved, we're happy to be back.

 

[byoung]

You when at a crowded time of the year. Try going mid DEC. Crowds are much lower. We try to go at the off peak times.

 

[MAKmom]

Please explain why I would feel guilty about crowds.

We go to the MK at rope drop & leave around noon when the crowds are coming in. We also head over in the rain at night we love it. The wimps leave because of rain in June & we do Adventure & Frontier land. We like that side of the park at night.

 

[Skroops]

Guilty? Nope.

When airfares start skyrocketing, you'll probably see a decline in attendance. We won't be going as much! So, until then... the party is at Disney!!!

 

[DOOM1001]

I live in Miami, a 3.5 hour drive and I probably average a trip at least once every 3 weeks or so, I'll even go just for the day, I've been doing it for years and to this day haven't gotten tired of it, in fact I enjoy it more.Aside from Disney I also have annual passes to the Universal parks and Sea World and Busch Gardens.I avoid going when I know I probably won't have a good time, like Hot, Humid and Crowded summers, I don't go very frequently at all, I might do Busch's water park, Adventure Island in the morning to cool off and Busch Gardens later in the day.Also in the summer Sea World is a good park to go since it doesn't have that many rides you avoid long lines.Then in the fall you have Halloween events At Busch Gardens, Universal and Disney.Festivals like Food and Wine and Flower and garden at epcot in the fall and spring and Of course Christmas at the parks.So every time I go there's different things to see and do so I never get bored of going to the parks!!

 

[goingback]

MAKMOM

I did not say to explain why you should feel guilty, I just asked (saying I was trying to do so in a nice way) IF you feel guilty.


byoung -

Thanks. I have read that the mid December crowds are lighter, but I won't take my kids out of school to go to Disney. We went several years ago right after Christmas and really enjoyed the decorations, but the kids were out of school for winter break so that's when we had to go unless we did spring break again like we just did. I won't go in the summer!! How does anyone handle the heat and humidity then!

 

[Ratpack]

Crowds don't bother us at all. We try to go at least once or twice a year. For us it is really like stepping out of reality and into a fantasy. We just soak up the magic even if we don't ride the first thing while in the park. If I had to guess, I would say that the people that get annoyed and do things like argue with others and so forth are usually not repeat visitors. They are most likely the ones that bring the family there because it is "the thing to do and everyone should do it at least once". I would even venture to say that the true Disney fan would never act this way because we wouldn't want it to spoil our experience. People ask us all the time why we go to Disney for our vacations each year and tell us we should go other places and I am sincere when I ask "Why?" So if you truly love Disney, then I would continue to go and as often as possible. Look at it this way, the crowds mean our beloved Disney World will be here for us to enjoy even though I believe "Magic" would pay the bills!!

 

[MAKmom]

MAKMOM

I did not say to explain why you should feel guilty, I just asked (saying I was trying to do so in a nice way) IF you feel guilty.


It was in a nice way. I'm just wondering why you think there is a person in the World that would feel guilty about the crowds ect.