UK to U.S. visitors, May I ask a couple questions?

[elmosmom]

Hi,

Just curious--Was there anything about the US that surprised you?
How about prices in the US, more or less expensive then you thought?
How about the American people?
Did you tour the area outside the Magic Kingdom? Did you like american food? Thank you--

 

[uksaint]

Ok, I'll have a stab at this -


Just curious--Was there anything about the US that surprised you?

My first trip to the US was to Boston and I was surprised how similar to the UK much of surburban Boston is - seemed like a very nice place to live and not at all like the force-fed diet of inner city US life that I was used to from various cop shows of the 70's and 80's.

Another thing that surprised me was how soft and wallowy the suspension setup on some US cars is - I think my first rental car was a Buick of some description and you could almost get seasick in that thing.

How about prices in the US, more or less expensive then you thought?

Hmmm...depends on the exchange rate but in general I love US prices.


How about the American people?

I am always amazed by how confident and positive most Americans are when compared to your average Brit. Of course there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, but most of the Americans we have met that crossed this line are usually in London.

Did you tour the area outside the Magic Kingdom? Did you like american food?

On our Orlando visits we probably spend about 50% of our time outside Disney property. As for American food, i'm not exactly sure what America lays claim to in the culinary sector - what I do know is that there is fantastic choice available so whatever you're in the mood for, you can usually find it.

Well thats my thoughts. Be interesting to hear others views.

 

[Dimplenose]

I was surprised that tax was added at the till. I like to have the correct money ready for small purchases.

I was surprized at the sweet/savoury combinations that were being put on one plate at a breakfast buffet.

I was surprised at how old fashioned things seemed to be. I'd had these preconceived ideas that America would be ultra modern - more star trek than Happy Days.

I liked the choice of foods available - is this the same all over US or just in WDW?

I was very surprised by the loos at WDW!!!

I thought it odd that all the banknotes looked the same.

I was surprised that some people couldn't understand my accent as I don't really have one, very bland SE England.

Libby

 

[Madjock]

Was there anything about the US that surprised you?

The thing that most surprised me was the strictness of the drinking laws. Our first visit was to New Orleans and in several drinking establishments I was asked for ID. I could maybe get away with knocking 5 years off my age but no way could I be mistaken for under 21. Florida is even stricter!

How about prices in the US, more or less expensive then you thought?

Our first visit to WDW was in October 2001. Due to September 11 the dollar was very low but we still found it less expensive and spent less money that we had expected.

How about the American people?

I would have to say that on the whole I find the Americans very courteous, helpful and friendly but like everywhere you always come across one or two exceptions.

Did you tour the area outside the Magic Kingdom? Did you like american food?

Our first visit we stayed on I-Drive – does this count. We liked the I-Drive, it was always buzzing and there were some great restaurants. Food wise, like anywhere we had some good meals and some bad meals.

Annmarie

 

[TinkTatoo]

Like Dimplenose I was suprised at the toilets I couldn't beleive how much water they had in them and that they flushed themselves

Prices were way cheaper than in Ireland and we bought CD's, jeans and sneakers on our first trips and added clothes for the kids and toys to our subsequent ones.

I really liked the American people - almost everyone I met was polite and helpfull.

As for food - I couldn't get over the size of the portions nor some of the combinations - especially for breakfast.

We have travelled, on our first trip we went from Miami, down the east coast, across the everglades and back up the west coast and then to Orlando. On subsequent trips we went to Naples.

I am not a good flyer but as soon as I step off the plane in America I get an instant lift and a really good feeling because I am there.

Can't wait to go back in August

 

[KayleeUK]

Was there anything about the US that surprised you? How big everything was

How about prices in the US, more or less expensive then you thought?
Depends on the exchange rate - but pretty good.

How about the American people?
Lovely and friendly

Did you tour the area outside the Magic Kingdom?
Does Universal count LOL

Did you like american food?
Yes excellent choice and huge portions.

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Just curious--Was there anything about the US that surprised you?

I agree with Dimplenose the whole "Tax" added on at the till, suprised us, The toilets I love how they flush themselves and they are so clean! (Sad eh!).

How about prices in the US, more or less expensive then you thought?

It does depend on the exchange rate, but mostly it is cheaper than the U.K We always stock up on Clothes,Toys, Sketchers etc.

How about the American people?

In general they are all very very polite the whole "Have a nice day sir!" I love that, We did fine one lady who decided to take a pop at me because I burnt quite badly on holiday and was RED! so she said loud as possible "Now you know what a lobster looks like"! I didnt find that amusing!, But that was one out of like a million, they are very polite, and very forward we had a family come over to tell us how Polite, and Lovely our 4year old is! that was flattering!


Did you tour the area outside the Magic Kingdom? Did you like american food?

Yes we always venture around been to St.Pete's, Naple's and Miami, the american food, is very good depends on what you like as a person, but it suits us down to the ground.

Roll on 20th June!!

 

[Olaf]

You guys are funny. The toliets! If you think these hold a lot of water, you should see the older ones. The ones in the hotels are all "low-flush" toliets, the older ones hold about twice as much water.

I remember when I first moved to Germany as a teenager. I thought the toliets were so funny. My Dad referred to the "viewing shelf" in them.

I had a British friend who liked to play with the garbage disposal.

The "tax" things bugs me as well. Our sales tax varies from state to state and sometimes from county to county.

 

[WDWfan uk]

Our first visit was in 1994, and I also remember being caught out by the price displayed on the goods not being the price you paid at the till!

The other thing that I noticed in Florida - in the public loos again!! - were the huge gaps below the cubicle doors and the gap on the side of the door as well ( I searched for a while for a cubicle that had a door with more privacy but c9ouldn't find one!) Still find that hard to get used to!

 

[DocRafiki]

Good thread.

I think I'd be horrified by the lack of privacy at public restrooms if I weren't used to it. I have this recurring nightmare where I have to go to the bathroom in a large public restroom where there are just toilets among toilets in a room with NO stalls, curtains, or anything. Ugh. I guess that's how guys feel. Then again, I saw urinals on the STREET in London! That would never fly here.

 

[Madjock]

Ah those self flushing toilets, I had forgotten about those. Our 4 year old ended up having severe constipation and a few little ‘accidents’ (she kept jumping off before she had finished) as she was so terrified of using those damn self flushing toilets!

Annmarie

 

[Muppet]

The first time my chap experienced the toilets it was so funny.

Without going in to too much detail he was very concerned that the water was rising bringing items with it and thought it would overflow.

He was frantically shouting at it and trying to find something to catch the water in. Then it all flushed away and Nic looked most relieved.

I think the divercity of American is great. They seem very excepting of all thoughts and ideas. We found them to be most chatty.

The prices of everything is excellent, though the petrol prices make Nic most unhappy when he comes home.

We've been having a look about in Florida and will do a complete travelling holiday next year.

I think you could say we like it.

 

[Olaf]

Unfortunately, there are way too many people out there who can't be bothered to flush when they're done. Hence, the self-flushing toliet.

My first job, while I was at university, was working at a McDonalds. I couldn't believe the mess people leave in the restroom. It was totally disgusting (I won't gross you out with the details). It made me wonder what these people's homes looked like.

 

[BONZO]

Was there anything about the US that surprised you?

A few things: -

Nobody seems to walk anywhere as the car is king

The food portions are enormous

The speed limit is so slow but car sizes are huge in comparison to the UK

Anything Hispanic appeared to be treated with some contempt

Beer but no spirits available in supermarkets

How happy and polite most people were

Xanadu really was the house of the Future!

Theme parks had a "one price" ticket entrance - although this is usual now

Lack of International news coverage

Carding at 30 for alcohol in some places (you can legally drink at 18 here)

Paying for the car park and park entrance - why not all in?

Free soda refills!

Courtesy to other road users


How about prices in the US, more or less expensive then you thought?

In the past things were considerably cheaper but recently they've been on par with the UK

Food always appears to be very cheap


How about the American people?

On the whole friendly, approachable and polite.

Very patriotic and nationalistic

Only once mistaken for Germans instead of Australians!


Did you tour the area outside the Magic Kingdom?

We've been going since 1988 and have been to Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Key Largo, the Everglades, Tampa Bay, Clearwater, Naples, Cocoa beach, Daytona Beach, Dali Museum, Busch Gardens, IOA, USF, etc etc.

Always fancied a trip to the Pan Handle and wanted to drive to Georgia but couldn't take the car out of state on our early trips.

Did you like American food?

Depends on what you call "American food" - I tried but didn't like grits, bacon (we like ours to be Canadian bacon), sweet and savoury items for breakfast, gravy (as in Biscuits and gravy) and cinnamon with everything.

These are not criticisms just observations

 

[Mike Jones]

Was there anything about the US that surprised you?

The consideration of motorists and the delight of 'cruise in any lane' on the Interstates. How clean everything was! Eating in quality restaurants in shorts and t shirts! Parking easily almost everywhere.

How about prices in the US, more or less expensive then you thought?

What we expected, and generally cheaper or similar to home.


How about the American people?

Virtually all pleasant and polite, both CMs, tourists and locals. Odd exceptions, but far fewer than the percentage of ignorant brits we encounter every day!

Did you tour the area outside the Magic Kingdom? Did you like american food?

We 'did' Sarasota/Siesta Key at New Year and felt that it was more natural than Orlando. Got mistaken for someone from Maine a couple of times, with my North England accent! Loved a lot of the food, but found portion sizes daunting! Not quite in tune with US chocolate and candy! No proper brewed beer to my taste, but AmberBock acceptable for a week or two and really good wine!

Mike

 

[Dimplenose]

Oh yes sweets/candy I had forgotton how bad/different some of it can be. My first trip to Philadelphia years ago I bought some sweets for the flight home and they were flavoured with wintergreen - I thought that was the stuff rugby players rub onto their muscles. I couldn't eat them.

Libby

 

[TinkTatoo]

Originally posted by BONZO


Free soda refills!

This surprised me too - also why would you buy a large drink when you could get a regular with a refill?

 

[elmosmom]

I love all the very interesting responses! Fun to know how others see us.
One day I hope to visit the U.K. Thank you very much------sue

 

[Mike Jones]

Sue... just to throw this one back at you... when we were on Siesta Key in December, the kids were playing with a local girl about 8 years old, Megan, who was surprised that we had a car at home.. it transpired that she thought we all walked or rode in carriages, as she'd seen lots of coverage of Royal events, but not much else apart from 'period dramas' which re-inforced the perception! ... in your opinion and observation, what do Americans think an 'average' or 'normal' Brit is like?

Mike

 

[elmosmom]

Let's see, this is a tough question! For those of us that have not traveled I suppose we get our opinions from BBC television sitcom's that are quite popular here.
In that case everyone is Onslow or Hyacinth Bucket! -smile here--

I tend to think that English are formal and serious, well mannered and very polite. And we think that the Royal's are very well thought of.

After reading these wonderful posts I find myself curious about the English loo, only because our's made such a good impression!

I've not done a very good job of this-