So What's so great about WDW?

[jessi1375]

I went for the first time when I was in my 20's and I cried taking the boat in from the TTC (I am a crier) I went for the second time last year with family, there were a couple of little ones with us, and the experience was still just as amazing. I think everytime you go, you see something new, or you discover something that you didn't notice the last time you were there. I am going again, just my mom and me, in September, and we talk about making Disney a yearly thing for the entire family. It is something we all love, that we can all do together, either as adults or with the kids. You really feel the magic when you are there and the feeling is indescribible, it is like living in your imagination!!!!!

 

[Cindy & Mickey]

My favorite place in the world is WDW. More than anywhere else, I can leave my worries aside for a while, enjoy the rides and experiences (and food), and at the end of the day I am misty-eyed, happy, and completely worn out.

When my DH and I got engaged in 1998, I warned him that a requirement was a WDW trip every year on average. As a 40-something adult, he had never been, but said no problem! His first trip was in 1999. He was expecting a Six Flags experience, only bigger. He soon discovered that WDW is unique, nothing quite like it. He's now hooked just like me, and starts asking when is our next trip, can we dine at so-and-so, etc.


Sure it is expensive, exhausting, and overwhelming. But the good definitely outweighs the bad!

I think the number one mistake new visitors make is underestimating the scope of the parks. You can't do/see it all in one day (or two or three). Even with 4 or 5 days to go, you won't see it all. Also, getting to the parks EARLY can really make the difference.

Have a great time, and see if you can't talk DH into a couple of nights staying AT a Disney Resort, instead of just driving down from St. Augustine.

 

[Amyg]

I only took my first trip last summer and loved it! Your trip in 1980 is a long time ago and it has changed a lot since then!

I certainly hope you have decided to stay there for more than one day because with four main parks and two water parks plus Downtown Disney, you would miss a lot!

There are numerous attractions for both adults and kids at each park and it is far from being just a regular amusement park! Doing at least one day at MK, Epcot and MGM, then at least one morning at AK would be a great start IMHO.

You don't have much time but if you plan to go for 3-4 days it might be a good idea to get some sort of touring plan (***************** or at TourGuideMike.com). That will allow you to get the most out of your visit without too much waiting in lines!

In any case, good luck!

 

[mickeymousemom]

WDW is not an amusement park. It's a magical place full of wonderful memories waiting to happen. So much has changed since you've been. There's a reason why there are so many discussion boards and websites devoted to Disney Theme parks and tips on vacationing there. You can't see it in one day. It takes lots o' days. Several years ago, Dh and our girls went for the first time as a family. Dh had never been. It wasn't long and he was as much a fanatic as I am. My girls(we now have 3) are crazy about WDW. My almost 4 yo knows as much trivia as many adults.

WDW is a place that we go to to get away from reality. It isn't a Six Flags, or a Busch Gardens. Universal can't even come close(great rides over there, but the atmosphere...well...you can just FEEL the difference).

I wish I could put it into words. Disney World is just...DIFFERENT. You can feel it the minute you drive on property. Magic is in the air. You can almost see the pixie dust. One day you're a princess, the next a pirate. Not only does it feed a child's imagination, but it feeds the imagination in every one of us. There are tons of themed resorts, which are magical all on their own. Cast Members are pixie dust spreaders and makers of the magic. It's up to us to let it all in.

DH and I can't wait until we can have our own little WDW vacation. In the future we plan to renew our vows there.

I totally agree with PP who said you have to let it happen. It's there, and it's easy to be a part of it all. It's almost hard NOT to let it take you over.

I'm a sappy one, I know...but Disney is my family's place to go. We are either at WDW, on our way to or from WDW or planning a trip to WDW. We enjoy other places also, but for us, Disney is the ultimate place to be.
I hope your family enjoys your trip! I do highly recommend hanging around these boards and/or buying guides of some sort to do research, research, research. Going without knowing what you're doing is much more overwhelming than any information you may have to soak up beforehand!

 

[Fortywinks]

I believe the question to ask is why anyone would think WDW is an amusement park. WDW is an experience. Consider what is available. You have MK, MGM, AK, Epcot, DTD as well as the other Disney attractions. The parks do have rides and attractions, but those that are frequent visitors will probably say that they do not return for just the rides. I've have done many, Universal, Bush Gardens, Six Flags, Sea World. We have loved the others, but WDW is where we always want to return. Our trips (3-4 per year) are usually no less than 3 days, but at least one trip a year of 6-7 days.