The Disney Elitist Attitude

[Jrb1979]

I have noticed that ever since the shutdown happened the Disney Elitist Attitude has really come out online everywhere. Its been in the parks for awhile now too. Its the " I paid a lot of money for this vacation so I can do what I want" attitude. Where I see it online is how much people look down at other theme parks. I don't see it at other parks including Universal.

It hasn't always been there. I took my nieces to the parks about 6 years ago or so and never noticed it as much then. I went a couple of years and really noticed it. I have a 6 month old and an thinking of taking her next year. I know she would love the Magic but the elitist attitude is giving me second thoughts. I just want to know where it came from and why years ago you didn't see it as much.

 

[ReneeA]

I don't know if my attitude can be considered elitist, but we have changed our attitude considerably in the past few years.

Starting when my kids were 2 & 3, we began vacationing at WDW almost exclusively because it was easy with children, and it felt like a good value for our money. On average, we would annually spend 10-12 days on site visiting parks daily. The last few trips, we noticed that while our price went up 30-40%, the value was not there like it had been. Our rooms (moderate and deluxe) were not cleaned very well, the parks were dingy feeling, the park bathrooms were not kept clean like they had been at one time, the park hours significantly reduced, many more private parties scheduled which further cut park hours, and planning got out of control. After the last 10 day trip at the Wilderness Lodge (3 years ago), we took a break and haven't been back because none of us enjoyed it like we should have, and it cost a ton of money. I'm not demanding or elitist, but I do vote with my money and will not give them anymore until it's an improved experience.

 

[Jrb1979]

I don't know if my attitude can be considered elitist, but we have changed our attitude considerably in the past few years.

Starting when my kids were 2 & 3, we began vacationing at WDW almost exclusively because it was easy with children, and it felt like a good value for our money. On average, we would annually spend 10-12 days on site visiting parks daily. The last few trips, we noticed that while our price went up 30-40%, the value was not there like it had been. Our rooms (moderate and deluxe) were not cleaned very well, the parks were dingy feeling, the park bathrooms were not kept clean like they had been at one time, the park hours significantly reduced, many more private parties scheduled which further cut park hours, and planning got out of control. After the last 10 day trip at the Wilderness Lodge (3 years ago), we took a break and haven't been back because none of us enjoyed it like we should have, and it cost a ton of money. I'm not demanding or elitist, but I do vote with my money and will not give them anymore until it's an improved experience.

That's not elitist and its understandable to take little kids to Disney. The ones I consider elitist are the ones who look down on regional parks as low class. Not every Disney fan is like that but there is quite a few. Every May I usually go down Cedar Point for the week and stay at the hotel on property. It costs much less then Disney and have just as much fun cause of the little planning involved.

 

[ronandannette]

That's not elitist and its understandable to take little kids to Disney. The ones I consider elitist are the ones who look down on regional parks as low class. Not every Disney fan is like that but there is quite a few. Every May I usually go down Cedar Point for the week and stay at the hotel on property. It costs much less then Disney and have just as much fun cause of the little planning involved.

It's really apples-to-oranges. No other parks anywhere, with maybe the exception of Universal, can be compared to the Disney parks. They can both be good experiences, for what they are and some may prefer one over another for their own tastes but it's kind of like comparing camping to going on a cruise. (And no, that doesn't imply camping is inferior - just very different.)

 

[mom2rtk]

Did you notice the attitude in the parks or online?

 

[Jrb1979]

Did you notice the attitude in the parks or online?

Both I have noticed it. In the parks its the ones who have the attitude of they paid a lot for their trip so they should be allowed to do what they want. I see more of it now then I did when I took my nieces 6 years ago. I have seen it online too and not just here. I have seen many look down on places like Cedar Point and Dollywood. I have posted on different forums about spending a vacation at Cedar Point and I've had Disney fans laugh cause " why would anyone go to park to ride coasters over and over again?".

The only thing I see here is whenever other parks have put out news on possible opening and their measures they are planning its dismissed cause it's not Disney.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

I think it's a spectrum and it really depends on the individuals' "sunk cost fallacy" tolerance level.

Old Disney is not New Disney and that's hard to break away from wanting again, if you experienced the high level of quality pixiedust in those days.

People who have owned DVC from the beginning, who go 4+ times a year, who always bring extended family... yes of course. they would probably feel they are more loyal to Disney than say, a single young adult on a solo trip who doesn't plan on coming back again and isn't buying souvenirs.

 

[Jennasis]

It isn't unique to Disney. Entitlement mentality is everywhere, and it can be quite ugly.

 

[Turn the Page]

I don't know. I live in a tourist area and hear that very frequently. I actually am made fun of on a regular basis for going to Disney World and told what a ridiculous place it is to visit. One coworker in particular likes to tell me how it is stupid to go there and she prefers to visit real places and then in the next breath tells me she loves Branson, MO.

Different strokes and all that.

 

[fla4fun]

I agree that the regional parks and parks like WDW really aren’t comparable. It’s not that one is better, but that they are different. I mean, I don’t like Universal even though it’s on par with Disney for quality, but it’s because I don’t have any attachment to the movies their rides are based on (don’t like Potter books or movies at all) and because they do put more of an emphasis on thrill rides, which I don’t do even at Disney. Most regional parks also put an emphasis on thrill rides, which is fine except I don’t like those rides, so there isn’t as much for me to do at a regional park. If you like the rides and aesthetics of a regional park, you can certainly have a good vacation visiting one.

 

[_19disnA]

Things you read online can be all over the map. I don't use social media but from various articles I have read, it seems a lot of those types of platforms result in creating needless drama & arguments. Frankly, I don't care where others choose to vacation and don't need their validation to do what we enjoy. Being anonymous online probably encourages behavior that most wouldn't consider appropriate in real life. You really have no way to know if someone else is bragging or exaggerating in the things they post and frankly, I don't really care.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I generally don’t give a flying fajita what other people think.

 

[MillauFr]

Completely disagree. Disney is a mass market product. There is nothing exclusive about it what so ever. They have no 5 star hotels or experiences.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't get the elitist attitude. Something costing a lot of money doesn't necessarily mean quality.

 

[spiders]

That's not elitist and its understandable to take little kids to Disney. The ones I consider elitist are the ones who look down on regional parks as low class. Not every Disney fan is like that but there is quite a few. Every May I usually go down Cedar Point for the week and stay at the hotel on property. It costs much less then Disney and have just as much fun cause of the little planning involved.

Regional parks can be low class or high class. Dollywood is pretty good for what it is but I think it generally caters to an older crowd and by an older crowd I mean 50+. Six Flags can be pretty horrific but it's $70 for a season pass w/ parking so you get what you pay for. The food is awful but it's like $50 for a food season pass where you get a lunch and a snack every visit. But yes, I expect more from Disney than when I go to Six Flags. I expect more when I stay at a Marriott than I do at La Quinta. I expect more from the $50 per plate restaurant than I do from the $15 per plate restaurant and more than I do from the $5 fast food restaurant.

I've never been to Cedar Point but I've heard great things about them. I don't really consider that to be elitist when I hear someone tell me how great Cedar Point is to other theme parks.

 

[Farro]

Regional parks can be low class or high class. Dollywood is pretty good for what it is but I think it generally caters to an older crowd and by an older crowd I mean 50+. Six Flags can be pretty horrific but it's $70 for a season pass w/ parking so you get what you pay for. The food is awful but it's like $50 for a food season pass where you get a lunch and a snack every visit. But yes, I expect more from Disney than when I go to Six Flags. I expect more when I stay at a Marriott than I do at La Quinta. I expect more from the $50 per plate restaurant than I do from the $15 per plate restaurant and more than I do from the $5 fast food restaurant.

I've never been to Cedar Point but I've heard great things about them. I don't really consider that to be elitist when I hear someone tell me how great Cedar Point is to other theme parks.

Just here to say Dollywood has amazing coasters. One of them is one of the best in the country. And it's stunning. And peaceful.

And fast becoming a hipster haven, so you will need to adjust your demographic.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I have noticed that ever since the shutdown happened the Disney Elitist Attitude has really come out online everywhere. Its been in the parks for awhile now too. Its the " I paid a lot of money for this vacation so I can do what I want" attitude. Where I see it online is how much people look down at other theme parks. I don't see it at other parks including Universal.

It hasn't always been there. I took my nieces to the parks about 6 years ago or so and never noticed it as much then. I went a couple of years and really noticed it. I have a 6 month old and an thinking of taking her next year. I know she would love the Magic but the elitist attitude is giving me second thoughts. I just want to know where it came from and why years ago you didn't see it as much.

You see it all the time. Why should values get that perk when I'm paying for deluxe. Some people can't enjoy a perk unless someone else is denied it. But it's mostly on line. You'll get very little of that kind of nonsense at the parks. Oh sure there will be some entitled little twit in the parks that thinks the rules don't apply to him. But that's everywhere. Most of the misbehavior is just that. Misbehavior. Pay it no mind. Nobody knows where you're staying. Nobody knows whether you've been "slumming it" at what other parks you went to. Certainly not the CMs. And they don't care either.

Pay People like this no mind. HAHA that waitress got her.

 

[Hikergirl]

I can't say I've noticed that kind of attitude from enough guests to make me have second thoughts about going again. There are entitled and elitists everywhere, even at WDW. I just ignore people like that and enjoy my trip.

 

[teller80]

I agree, the elitist attitude is everywhere. We went to Yellowstone last year, and no matter how many signs tell you to STAY ON THE BOARDWALK, because , you know, you'll damage the thermal features, people just had to wander off to get "that special shot" for their instagram.

 

[RamblingMad]

I agree, the elitist attitude is everywhere. We went to Yellowstone last year, and no matter how many signs tell you to STAY ON THE BOARDWALK, because , you know, you'll damage the thermal features, people just had to wander off to get "that special shot" for their instagram.

There have been over 700 selfie related deaths in National Parks. I often see park rangers helping people that get over their head for hikes. I had to help someone the last time I went to the GC. They hiked down the North Rim with inadequate water. I had to help them get back out.