Trip advisor reviews

[RealBlast3]

I agree with those that expressed disbelief at the lack of research so many vacationers had done. I can understand people not knowing or thinking about boards such as these, but doesn't everyone know about vacation planning books like Frommers and the like? There are quite a few amazing Disney World books - the Birnbaum Official book, and the Unauthorized one, there's even one just for dining!

I used to read those books cover to cover years ago when I planned my trips. I mean, even before I had gone to Disney, I had always heard that going there was a mammoth undertaking and that one should not just show up willy-nilly but research it. It's not the sort of vacation you just show up and hit the beach - end of story.

 

[crazymomof4]

I DO second the poster that said how could you spend so much money on a trip and NOT even do a little research... in this day and age, NOT having a clue about MDE or the app or any informational website seems a little archaic...

...

Welcome and..

Yes! My DH and I are looking at various destinations for our 30th Anniversary tip in '15. When we are looking into a destination as a possibility, the FIRST thing we look for online is info about when is the best time of year to visit based on weather and crowds. To spend time and money on a trip and NOT do at least the basic research is, as you said, "archaic"

Hope your trip is wonderful!

 

[disneyseniors]

A few of my favorite quotes:


Hmmmm. 11 years before it opened.


Yes, it is Disney's fault that it rained. That makes it a terrible place.


This one just made me laugh. Actually, his whole review was very well-written and entertaining.


I'm just picturing this family returning to the parks day after day until FINALLY they get on a ride. What were they doing the whole time? Were the lines more than 72 hours long?



That is just sad.


Several people referenced that it wasn't like it was in the commercials. I guess they really thought it would be that idyllic.


What? Pretty sure it's still the same size it was in 1982.


Interesting.


And another one.


I'm just picturing this guy collecting data for his bad review. And when I'm there in a couple of weeks, I'll be counting carousel revolutions.


They expected theme park entrance for renting a golf cart at FW?





That's why it's so hard to get a BOG ADR. We forgot to pay the club dues!

Really, I'm not trying to be judgmental. I believe that people who think WDW is terrible really did have an experience that didn't live up to their expectations and heat and crowds really can make you miserable. I just did get a chuckle out of reading the way some things were phrased. And some of them really left me scratching my head.

Thank you for the laughs!! I have read all these remarks and got a good chuckle out of them. I gotta go over to TA and get more laughs. But it is sad that people read these lies and get the wrong idea. Honestly, go buy a book on WDW, or go to WDW site for reviews. We all need to lighten up and laugh a little.

 

[IhrkeFamily]

Comments like the ones others have mentioned is why I think you need to read every TA review with a grain of salt. An experience is based a lot upon the person writing and does not necessarily reflect the establishment.

My son gets upset to hear someone put down Disney. I tell him they don't know the real magic of the place. Besides that means less crowds and shorter lines for the rest of us!

 

[JimmyV]

While it is funny to read these reviews, and fashionable here to criticize the critics, we have to remember that “those people over on that site” represent the masses, and the people here on the Dis represent the minority cognoscenti. So when a thread here speaks to how user un-friendly MDE and FP+ can sometimes be, or how complicated FP+ seems at times, or how it causes people to overplan and plan too far in advance, those comments are really geared toward the masses and not to the studious minority. People here will chime in that "all one has to do is research and learn the ropes." Fine advice. But is it realistic? If a person can’t figure out how to take a bus from one park to the next, do you really think that they will be able to plan FPs and ADRs months in advance? And when they fail to do any advance planning, is it any mystery that they have a miserable time and write reviews to that effect? This is not to excuse them for not doing their homework. But on some level, when one designs a system, one has to anticipate the average intelligence and level of preparedness that the typical user brings to the fore. And we here are not typical.

The same is true when it comes to a thread that asks if a 15 year-old is too old for WDW. Of course over here, the answer is a loud and unanimous “NO”. But when you read the many Trip Advisor reviews that complain that the Tower of Terror does not free-fall for 12 stories or that Rock N Roller Coaster pales in comparison to Cedar Point, (and we all predict that the authors of those reviews are thrill-seeking teenagers), then the question of whether a 15 year old is too old for WDW starts to become a bit more legitimate. As one poster here put it, (at Post #19, and I paraphrase), “It’s no mystery why the rides are not that extreme. Why? Disney is made for little children.” Well, if WDW is made for little children (at least in the eyes of some), then it stands to reason that certain teens would not enjoy it and perhaps certain 15 year olds might be too old.

The bottom line is that all of this makes for fun yuk-yuks. I mean, c'mon. Some of those comments are hysterical. Like BOG being a Private Club. But just remember that the people writing these reviews make up the vast majority of visitors to your favorite place. Sometimes the reasons behind their misinformation is more important than the misinformation itself. It also bears mentioning that this site can be seen as "superior" because people ask questions, concede their ignorance, and are willing to learn the truth. But Trip Advisor simply isn't set up that way. There is a Forums section over there where people can ask questions and "converse". And that area has more in common with this site than it has differences. But the reviews section is simply a one way street, and unfortunately, any vehicle is allowed to go down that street. So take it for what it is worth, and keep in mind that the views there represent what most of the world experiences at WDW. Sad and funny at the same time.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Make sure you also read for each individual park too! There is the reviews for WDW then for EP, MK, AK and DHS and well as each resort.

Aren't the bad ones hilarious!!

From the Animal Kingdom one:

It was soooooooooooo busy with thousands of buggies and thousands of people with thousands of Children that you literally could not move.

A) How massive are the bugs in AK that they can literally prevent a full sized human being from moving? Has Disney been breeding some Jurassic Park like insects? (If so, take that Universal)

B) Wait, there are children in Disney Parks????

 

[Jennasis]

From the Animal Kingdom one:



A) How massive are the bugs in AK that they can literally prevent a full sized human being from moving? Has Disney been breeding some Jurassic Park like insects? (If so, take that Universal)

B) Wait, there are children in Disney Parks????

Buggies=strollers.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Buggies=strollers.

Damn those Brits and their English, lol.

 

[JanaDee]

From the Animal Kingdom one:



A) How massive are the bugs in AK that they can literally prevent a full sized human being from moving? Has Disney been breeding some Jurassic Park like insects? (If so, take that Universal)

B) Wait, there are children in Disney Parks????

Buggies are strollers. Yes, the strollers are out of control and frequently cause traffic jams.

 

[JimmyV]

Buggies get no respect. In fact, you could say that "It's Tough To Be A Buggie".

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Want to step out side the exit to have a smoke cause it was the closest and had a baby sleeping in one of animals kingdoms strollers was told I had to keep it inside the gate which I get but we were coming right back in and my kid was really tired.Then after I was upset and woke child up they wanted to help me out..

Some people. (By the way, this will be my new obsession). So this guy throws a tantrum because he can't have a smoke with his sleeping baby, wakes the baby up with this tantrum and somehow it's the fault of Disney?

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Ya see hotel guests can schedule their fast passes anytime and the more expensive hotel you stay in the more fast passes those guests can receive up to 5 or 6 per park per day.

While I get the 60 day/30 day gripe is a legit one, What room do I need to upgrade to for the extra FPs, lol?

 

[joannamet]

First thing I noticed was Walt Disney World is #12 of 195 attractions in Orlando behind Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine, the Amway Center, Ifly Orlando and Mama's Comedy Show (most of the others are attractions in WDW). That must be one heck of a funny comedy show!

 

[niffer5150]

i have to say my kid and i have sometimes read the TA reports on the luxury hotels because watching people whine about first world problems is pretty funny. i don't understand how they even cope in this world. when you grind your whole vacation to a halt because you NEED another bottle of shampoo NOW or because you had to wait with the other peasants in a line. what kind of meltdown must a line at the dmv cause them to have?

 

[MichiganDVC]

First thing I noticed was Walt Disney World is #12 of 195 attractions in Orlando behind Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine, the Amway Center, Ifly Orlando and Mama's Comedy Show (most of the others are attractions in WDW). That must be one heck of a funny comedy show!

I noticed that as well.

I do wonder, however, what kind of person goes on TA and writes a "positive" review for WDW. Does it go something like this:
Just returned from Walt Disney World! It's a theme park in central Florida just outside of Orlando. Anyway, we had a great time! You WILL NOT believe it, but there is this giant castle that you can walk right up to! And, you can meet Disney characters at this theme park. I mean, you can shake their hand and get your picture taken...even give them a hug! In conclusion, I suggest that everyone tries out this theme park if you're in the central Florida area.

Now, negative reviews of world-famous places I expect....as misinformed as they may be at times. And hilarious.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Having gone through about 10 pages of 1 star reviews of AK, I keep seeing the same gripe popping up and that is the cost of food. I just don't get this one and people are really harping on it. WHat other theme parks let you bring your own food in for consumption??? People are irate that a bottle of water is $2.50 (Side note, I paid $4.50 for one at a Major League Baseball game this weekend) and acting as though WDW forces you upon entrance to swallow a salt lick which will cause you to need to buy an endless supply of their water.

 

[JimmyV]

I noticed that as well.

I do wonder, however, what kind of person goes on TA and writes a "positive" review for WDW...

Now, negative reviews of world-famous places I expect....as misinformed as they may be at times. And hilarious.

Nailed it. Pretty pointless to write a glowing review of the world's most popular theme park. As if you expect to educate your readers on something that they didn't know. Of course, with a negative review, you can impart new knowledge onto people, telling something that they didn't know before. And some of it may actually be accurate.

WHat other theme parks let you bring your own food in for consumption???

Mary, Queen of the Universe?? And better yet. If you bring a single basket of bread and some fish, they will turn it into a meal for all of the other visitors for the rest of the month!

 

[crazymomof4]

Inspired by Figment Mom's post, which I enjoyed a great deal....

under the sea ride is just a reminder of the Little Mermaid movie.

....... well, ya. The full attraction title kinda gives it away "Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid". Were you expecting Aqua Man?

"Of course, if the all the parents with screaming babies and toddlers had stayed home the park would have been easily accessible and peaceful..... Do NOT take anyone under 6 to the park for their sake and everyone else's--there's nothing for them to do anyway".

Cuz we all know WDW is NOT supposed to be for parents and their kids! Walt's amended Dream: a place where senior citizens can spend "peaceful" time with other senior citizens.

i WILL NOT RETURN! if i wanted to be treated like crap i would of stayed home ...

umm, OK.

Mr Banks would be very sad to see his beloved Disney now.....

Mr. Banks? Walt's "alias"?

 

[CdnCarrie]

From the reviews of Hollywood Studios.

“BOO stiches great escape ride”
1 of 5 starsReviewed 15 April 2014
although not many agree,i think that the ride ''stiches great escape" is not great it goes pitch black wich is terrifying and it is pretty boring.

And another but at least this is the right park.

Fantasmic The must see show at Hollywood Studios. However if you are first in line on going in you will be directed to the left or right hand side with its Restricted Viewing, Metal Posts, and Unlit Characters as they pass over the water. This is because the best seats are being reserved for guests staying in Disney Hotels or having Expensive Meal Packages,also so on your arrival you will be greeted with Disney cast members selling you Mickey Mouse hats with ears that light up to music illuminated magic wand and 2 foot blue hats, YES you get selfish people sitting in front of you while you are trying to watch a Night Show with the silly hats flashing on and off blocking your view. Disney is now setting up a 1class 2-class 3 class 4 class (and the rest of you system) excessively long delays, its is talking in excess of an hour on some rides .

Wonder what her kids were doing that everyone was glaring....

When I took my two 11 year old twins into he honey I shrunk the kids playground, all of these rude mothers were glaring at them!! How awful

 

[jon18uk]

I really wish it was possible to reply to reviews on Trip Advisor, just to correct some of the mis-information.

I find it amusing seeing reviews such as one for Ollivanders wand shop at IoA where their daughter was "chosen" then offered the opportunity to purchase the wand afterwards. So they expected a free $35 wand to be given away every 10 minutes?

Also reading reviews on Alton Towers (UK theme park) where a rollercoaster that was the headline new attraction had a 75min wait that went to 2hrs due to breakdowns resulted in them only riding six rides in six hours so they left immediately in frustration. I think it is about setting your expectations, a new ride is always going to get long queues!